E. Ind. Forms: 7 tayer, 7–8 tair, 7–9 tire, 8 tayar, 8–9 tyer, 9 tyre. [ad. Tamil tayir.] Name in India for curdled milk and cream beginning to sour.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage, V. xi. 428. Some held … that there were seuen Seas; one of salt-water, the second of fresh, the third of honey, the fourth of milke, the fift of Tair (which is creame beginning to sowre).
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. I. 139. Tire is sold about the Streets there: ’tis thick sower milk.
1776. N. B. Halhed, Code Gentoo Laws, Pref. 41. Flesh, or Milk, or Tyer (Sour Cream) or Ghee, or bitter Oil.
1822. Babington, trans. Beschi’s Gooroo Paramartan, v. 80. A repast, in which there was no lack of ghee, or milk, or tyer.
1844. Southey, Life A. Bell, I. 192. He had been greatly displeased to see the bad milk and bad tire with which they were frequently supplied.
