[f. LIVER sb.1 + -Y.]
1. Of the consistency or color of liver; dial. (of soil) heavy, tenacious.
1778. [W. Marshall], Minutes Agric., 28 March 1775. The surface is … remarkably fine for such a livery, leathery, water-shaken Ley.
1857. Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XVIII. I. 101. [Potatoes] not heavy, livery balls,… but light and flowery.
1877. N. W. Linc. Gloss., s.v., Clay or warp land is said to turn up livery when, on ploughing the soil, it is found to be sad and heavy, without tendency to crumble into mould.
2. colloq. = LIVERISH 2.
