Late 17th century (in an earlier sense). From French abreuvoir, †abbreuvoir from Old French abrever, variant (with metathesis) of Anglo-Norman abeiverer, abeverer, abuverer, Anglo-Norman and Old French abevrer, Old French abeuvrer to cause (a person or animal) to drink copiously, to drench (the earth, a towel, etc.) + -oir. For the semantic motivation of sense 1, see quot. 1822.