pilcher

plural pilchers

1. archaicArchaic form of pilchard.

   He that eats nothing but a red herring a-day shall ne'er be broiled for the devil's rasher: a pilcher, signor, a surdiny, an olive, that I may be a philosopher first, and immortal after.

   c. 1612–1615?, John Fletcher, Francis Beaumont, revised by Philip Massinger, “Loves Cure or, The Martial Maid”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC, Act II, scene i

plural pilchers

1. obsoleteOne who wears a pilch.
2. obsoleteA scabbard, as of a sword.

   MERCUTIO: Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcher by the ears?

   c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]

plural Pilchers

1. A surname originating as an occupation.