-au̇(ə)rē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English avowrie, from Middle French avouerie protection, patronage, from Old French, from avouer to avow + -erie -ery
1.
a. obsolete : advocacy , patronage , protection
b. : advocate , patron ; especially : patron saint
2. : the act of one who avows something ; especially : the act of the distrainer of goods who in an action of replevin avows and justifies the taking in his own right — compare cognizance 5