spencer

Meaning

Noun

• A short double-breasted men's overcoat worn in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• A short, close-fitting jacket primarily worn by women and children in the early 19th century.
• A (usually woollen) vest worn by women and girls for extra warmth.
• A large loose-fitted gaffsail on a square-rigger or barque, used from the nineteenth century onwards.
• One who works in a spence or buttery.

Origin

• From the family name Spencer. The jacket is probably named after George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758-1834).
• From Middle English spenser, spensere, from Anglo-Norman despenser or Old French espensier, from Latin dispenso ("to dispense, distribute; to manage"). Equivalent to spence + -er.