Obs. Also 4 spiser, 4–5 spyser; 4 spycier, 4–6 spycer. [ad. OF. espicier (mod.F. épicier), f. espice SPICE sb. Cf. MDu. and MHG. specier (G. dial. spezier).] A dealer in spices; an apothecary or druggist.

1

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 11204. Willam þe spicer & geffray of hencsei.

2

a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter xliv. 10. Goed odurs of vertus ere takynd bi þere spiseres.

3

1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. X. 121. Out of a Ragged Roote … Springeþ and spredeþ þat spicers desyreþ.

4

c. 1400.  Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 67. Þanne I sente to þe spiceris schoppe þat was a greet weye fro me.

5

1474.  Caxton, Chesse, III. iv. (1883), 118. The pawon that is sette to fore the quene signefyeth the phisicyen Spicer and Apotyquaire.

6

a. 1513.  Fabyan, Chron., VII. (1811), 512. A spycer or grocer namyd Petyr Gylle, of Paris.

7

1566.  Securis, Detect., D v. Certayne, which are called spicers, or Poticaries. &c.

8

1609.  D. Rogers, in Digby Myst. (1882), p. xxi. Mercers, Spicers, bringe forthe ye 3. kinges of Collen.

9

  attrib.  14[?].  Nom., in Wr.-Wülcker, 692. Hec apoticaria, a spyser wyfe. Ibid., 730. Hec apoteca, a spycerschope.

10