[a. F. triage (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), n. of action f. trier to pick, cull: see TRY v. and -AGE.] The action of assorting according to quality. Also attrib.; hence concr. (see quots.)
1727–41. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Wool, Each fleece consists of wool of divers qualities, and degrees of fineness, which the dealers therein take care to separate…. If the triage, or separation be well made, in 15 bales there will be [etc.].
1825. Gentl. Mag., XCV. I. 216/1. These [pickers] sort the [Coffee] berries into three classes; ‘best quality,’ ‘middling,’ and the third of all the bad broken berries … is called *‘triage coffee.’
1880. Spons’ Encycl. Manuf., I. 705. The broken beans [of coffee], or ‘triage,’ must also be separated by hand from the dust.
1880. Daily News, 28 Oct., 3/8. Coffee.—… Costa Rica;… Triage 59s. 6d.
