c1475 Mankind (1969) 61 (MED) The chaff to horse xall be goode provente; When a man ys forcolde þe straw may be brent.

1557 in J. M. Thomson Registrum Magni Sigilli Scotorum (1888) V. 421/1 4 bol. prowant nuncupat. horscorne.

1592 T. Nashe Pierce Penilesse (Brit. Libr. copy) sig. G ^v From the flesh-pots of Egipt, to the Prouant of the Low-countreyes.

a1640 F. Beaumont et al. Loves Cure ii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Rrrrr/1 One Peaze was a Souldiers provant a whole day, at the destruction of Ierusalem.

1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 34 On the Shoulders of the Coolies they load their Provant, and what Moveables necessary.

1766 D. Lloyd Voy. & Adv. Capt. Jones (ed. 2) 19 These sea-sick soldiers, rang hills, woods, and vallies, Seeking provant to fill their empty bellies.

1844 J. H. Carleton Prairie Logbks. 29 Aug. (1983) 81 He made it a rule at every meal to lay in provent enough to last him three days.

1849 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. (rev. ed.) vi. viii. 369 in Wks. I. It severed off a deep coat pocket, stored with bread and cheese—which provant rolling among the armies, occasioned a fearful scrambling.

1885 R. F. Burton tr. Arabian Nights' Entertainm. IV. cccxxvii. 228 Then she applied herself to making ready the wants of the way, to wit provaunt and provender.

1920 J. Masefield Enslaved in Poems (1946) 437 All the cattle killed for provant and the gutted homestead burning.

a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Four Plays in One in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Dddddddd2^v/2 O gods of Rome, was Nicodemus born to bear these braveries from a poor provant?

1601 B. Jonson Every Man in his Humor iii. sig. E4^v Step... He swore it was a Toledo. Bob. A prouant Rapier, no better. View more context for this quotation

1621 R. Speed Counter-scuffle sig. C3^v Commanders, That hither come, compel'd by want, With rusty Swords, and Suits Prouant.

1627 G. Hakewill Apologie ii. vii. 111 The provant wine ordained for the armie being frozen, was divided with hatchets.

1819 W. Scott Legend of Montrose ii, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. III. 184 The good wheaten loaves of the Flemings were better than the Provant rye-bread of the Swede.

1863 G. A. Sala Strange Adventures Capt. Dangerous I. i. 16 Those that handle the backsword and are quick at finish with the provant rapier.

1637 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Elder Brother v. i. sig. H3 Fighting! What's fighting? It may be in fashion, Among Provant swords, and buffe-jerkin men.

1664 T. Killigrew Parsons Wedding i. i, in Comedies & Trag. 75 Hang him, lean, mercenary, provant Rogue.

1659 T. Lushington Resurrection Rescued 43 The Provantman will undertake to say any thing, yea, to do any thing for money.

1599 T. Nashe Lenten Stuffe 6 Yarmouth..should not onely supply her inhabitants with plentifull purueyance of sustenance, but prouant and victuall moreouer this monstrous army of strangers.