naves, et in qualibet
nave xxi. homines, cum uno garcione qui dicitur _gromet_."
In quoting this passage in a paper "On the Seals of the Cinque Ports,"
in the _Sussex Archaeological Collections_ (Vol. i. p. 16.), I applied
the following illustration:--
"_Gromet_ seems to be a diminutive of '_grome_', a
serving-man, whence the modern groom. The provincialism
_grummet_, much used in Sussex to designate a clumsy, awkward
youth, has doubtless some relation to this cabin-boy of the
Ports' navy."
I ought to add, that the passage above given is to be found in Jeake's
_Charters of the Cinque Ports_.
MARK ANTONY LOWER.
Lewes, March 18. 1850.
_Grummett_.--Bailey explains, "_Gromets_ or _Gromwells_, the most
servile persons on ship-board," probably, metaphorically, from
"_Gromet_ or _Grummet_," "small rings," adds Bailey, "fastened with
staples on the upper side of the yard." The latter term is still in
use; the metaphorical one is, I believe, quite obsolete.
C.
_Meaning of "Grummett," &c_.
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