Obs. exc. Hist. Also 7 baye. [a. F. baie, or its Du. repr. baai, f. F. bai, baie, the color BAY: see BAIZE.]
1. Baize; originally a fabric of a finer and lighter texture than now, the manufacture of which was introduced into England in the 16th c. by fugitives from France and the Netherlands. Usually in the pl., whence the modern corruption BAIZE, q.v.
1581. Act 23 Eliz., ix. § 1. Pennestones, Bays, Cottons, Hose-Yarn … and other Things.
1648. in Rushw., Hist. Coll., IV. II. 1152. In making of Bays and Says.
1660. Act 12 Chas. II., xxii. None shall weave in Colchester any bay known by the names of four-and-fifties, sixties … but within two days after weaving shall carry it to the Dutch Bay Hall to be viewed.
1713. Guardian, No. 170 (1756), II. 344. Colchester bays, Exeter serges.
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., Bay is also a sort of woollen stuff, made chiefly in Colchester, where there is a hall, called the Dutch Bay-hall.
2. Comb., as bay-maker, -making, -market, -trade, -yarn; bay-hall, a hall in Colchester used as an exchange by traders in this commodity.
1684. Lond. Gaz., No. 1988/3. The Moot-Hall and Bay-Hall hung with the same.
1708. Lond. Gaz., No. 4501/4. Zacheus Skingsley of Colchester … Baymaker.
1753. Scots Mag., Nov., 538/1. Woollen or bay yarn.
1858. People’s Hist. Gt. Brit., 104. The Protestants … fled many to this country bringing with them the art of Bay and say making.
