or gray-coat parson, subs. (old).—A lay impropriator, or lessee of tithes.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. GREY PARSON. A farmer who rents the tythes of the rector or vicar.
1830. COBBETT, Rural Rides, vol. I., p. 123 note (ed. 1886). The late editor says, that, having been a large holder of lay tithes, the author applied to Mr. Nicholls, the name of the GREY-COATED PARSON.
