_Purlieu._--Some of your correspondents seem afraid that an attempt to
repair the deficiencies of our English dictionaries, by research into
disputed etymologies in "N. & Q.," would tend to produce too much and too
tedious discussion, and fill its space too much. Could _this_, at least,
not be done without much objection? Could we not co-operate in finding the
earliest known mention of words, and thus perhaps trace the occasion and
manner of their introduction?
At any rate, this word _purlieu_ is certainly in want of some examination.
Johnson has adopted the wretched etymology of _pur_, Fr. for pure, and
_lieu_, Fr. for place; and he defines it as a place on the outskirts of a
forest free of wood.
The earliest record in which this word occurs, so far as I have seen, is in
an act of Edward III., quoted by Manwood, and it is there spelt _puraley_;
and it relates to the disafforested parts which several preceding kings
permitted to be detached from their royal forests.
Might I ask if any of your correspondents find an earlier use of the word;
and can it be gifted with a probable paternity?
The tracing of the earliest known mention of disputed words is a task
capable of being finished, and might perhaps be attended, in many cases,
with happy results. It would rid us probably of many puerilities which
degrade our current dictionaries.