local. Forms: α. 6 thayffe, 7 theafe, 8 theaf, thief. β. 7–9 theave, 8–9 thaive, 9 thave. Pl. 5–6 theyves, 6–7 theves, 7 theives, 6– theaves. [Known from 15th c.: etymology unascertained.] The name given in the midland and some southern counties of England to a female sheep of a particular age: most generally applied to a ewe of the first or second year, that has not yet borne a lamb; in some parts to a ewe between the first and second shearing: see quotations.
In Eng. Dial. Dict. cited in use from S.W. Yorkshire to the Thames, and from Hereford to Essex; also in Berks, Wilts, Dorset. In some districts app. identified with teg or hog, in others with the age succeeding this.
1465. Paston Lett., III. 437. Item,… iiijxx hoggys and xl theyves.
1517. in Eng. Hist. Rev. (1897), XII. 234. 60 young ewes or theaves.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 53. The ewes by them-selfe, the share-hogges and theyues by them selfe.
1544. (Dec. 13) Will of J. Borow of S. Stoke (MS.). A thayffe youe.
1596. Unton Invent. (1841), 9. Two hundred tegges and theves.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 495. The first year we call it in English a Lamb…, the second year, a Hog, Lam-hog, or Teg if it be a female, the third year, Hoggrils and Theives.
1614. Markham, Cheap Husb., III. i. (1668), 87. The second year the male is a Weather, and the female a Theafe, and then she may be put to the Ram; but if you let her go over that year also, then she is a double Theafe.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric. (1681), 323. A Theave, an Ew of the first year. [So 1691 Ray, S. & E. C. Words, Essex.]
1736. W. Ellis, New Exper. Husb., 52 (E.D.S.). The first year we call the ewe a lamb; the second year a ewe pug or teg; the third year a thaive; and the fourth year a sheep.
1799. A. Young, Agric. Lincoln., 314. Theaves; ewe hogs.
1841. Penny Cycl., XXI. 356/1. After being shorn, she is a shearing ewe or gimmer, or theave or double-toothed ewe; and after that, a two or three or four shear ewe or theave.
1844. Stephens, Bk. Farm, II. 39. Gimmers are called theaves until they bear the first lamb.
1863. Morton, Cycl. Agric. (E.D.S.), Theaves (West Engl.), ewes that have been shorn once.
1879. Miss Jackson, Shropsh. Word-bk., 437. Thave, a ewe sheep of the first year.
1886. C. Scott, Sheep-Farming, 18. From first to second shearing … Gimmer, Theave, Shearling ewe.
1904. Eng. Dial. Dict., Theave. Wiltsh. A ewe of the third year. Dorset. A sheep three years old and therefore having six incisors.
