In pl. knickers: colloquial contraction of KNICKERBOCKERS.
1881. Jefferies, Wood Magic, I. i. 15. It was not in that pocket,… nor in his knickers.
1900. Times, 29 Jan., 10/3. The Imperial Yeomanry … In their well-made, loosely-fitting khaki tunics and riding knickers.
b. attrib. (in form knicker) as knicker suit.
1899. Daily News, 13 July, 6/6. A well-known North Country flockmaster,… in a light check knicker suit.
Knicker, variant of NICKER v.
