† pousern.

Etymology: Apparently < Anglo-Norman poucer thumb (mid 13th cent. as pucer ; compare Anglo-Norman and Old French poucier (late 12th cent.); also Middle French, French poucier thumb-stall, thimble (1530)) < pouce thumb ( < classical Latin pollex thumb: see pollex n.) + -er -er suffix².Compare D. Rock Church of our Fathers (1849) II. vi. 167 and the undated Latin documents quoted there, apparently showing variants of this word with n for u as a result of minim confusion, although it is uncertain whether this reflects the readings of the documents or modern editorial misreadings:1849 D. Rock Church our Fathers II. vi. 167 The Bishop's Ponser, or thumbstal, made either of beaten gold or silver, and jewelled. It was put upon the right hand thumb... This ‘ponser’ was put upon the bishop's thumb.1849 D. Rock Church our Fathers II. vi. 167 A Pontifical belonging to the church of Salisbury..has the following rubric..Postea lavet (episcopus) manus suas si voluerit, vel imponatur digitale .i. ponsir.