[app. f. TREY sb.] app. To divide or deal (a pack of cards) into three heaps in order to separate the suits (in the order of which new cards are or were packed), before shuffling in the usual way.
(This is the explanation given by the majority of those who answered a query as to this word in the Pall Mall Gazette of 5 Jan., 1914. Two of these, Mr. R. H. Macaulay, M.A., and Mr. C. B Lacey, both resident in India in 1888, remember the word as there used in this sense. Several other explanations were suggested, e.g., that tray was for F. trier to pick out.)
1888. Times, 15 Feb., 8/2. Two new packs were opened, and were ‘trayed’ and shuffled in the usual way. Dr. Sanders had one of the packs cut to him, and proceeded to deal. He turned up the Knave of Clubs, and on sorting his hand found that he had the other 12 trumps.
