[? subst. use of next.] (See quot. 1774.)
1774. G. White, Selborne, xix. (1789), 174. The land-springs, which we call lavants, break out much on the downs of Sussex, Hampshire, and Wiltshire.
1875. Sussex Gloss., s.v., How it did rain! It ran down the street in a lavant.
1900. Academy, 28 April, 365/1. The waterings and ‘lavants’ from the hills leave her [Rye] arid.
