Course, v. To hunt, to pursue; to pursue with dogs that hunt in view; to put to speed, to force to run.
Courser, s. A swift horse.
Coursing, s. The pursuit of hares with greyhounds.
The ancient Laws of Coursing established by the Duke of Norfolk in queen Elizabeth’s reign, and agreed to by the nobility and gentry who then followed the diversion, have been always held authentic.
The Feuterer, or person who lets loose the greyhounds, was to receive those that were matched to run together into his leash, as soon as he came into the field, and to follow next to the hare finder, or him that was to start the hare, until he came to the form, and no horse or footmen were to go before, or on either side, but directly behind for the space of about forty yards.
A hare was not to be coursed with more than a brace of greyhounds.
The hare finder was to give the hare three soho’s before he put her from her form, to give notice to the dogs that they may attend her starting.
The hare was to have twelve score yards law before the dogs were loosed, unless the small distance from the cover would not admit it without danger of immediately losing her.
The dog that gave the first turn, and during the course, if there was neither cote, slip, nor wrench, won.
A cote is when the greyhound goes endways by his fellow, and gives the hare a turn.