Obs. [f. SPY sb. or v. + -ERY. Cf. ESPIERY.] The fact or condition of being a spy; the action of spying; espionage.
c. 1588. Parsons, in J. Morris, Troubles Cath. Forefathers, 2nd Ser. (1875), 312. After I had read over and perused the whole story … of his living in England,… his examinations, confessions, fictions, accusations, slanders, spiery, recantation and the like.
1600. W. Watson, Decacordon (1602), 132, marg. This good Cardinall … [was] most spitefully infamed by these three Priests, (though al in one predicament of spierie if any were).
