1) A distinctive suit of clothes given by a gentleman to his servants, in order that they might be recognised as his retainers.
1484-5 ‘The indenture to be void if Thomas [Kame] ... take anymans leuerey or clothing during the said term’, Thorpe Salvin
1531 To Umfrey my brother my levera jakett, Kirkham
1555 that euery one that shall not haue one my gownes ... shall haue one cote or leueraye, Stanley
1621 8 cloakes with gould parchment lace 2 rownd about and 5 about the coller for liveryes, Brandsby. In a related usage the word could be applied to provisions given to servants and by extension to the items in which these were served or the place where they were kept: 1530-1 his wages weekly viij whiett lowes of the leweray bread ... iiij gallons of the leweray ayll, Rievaulx
1612 John Graye came to serve me. I promised 4or markes wayges and a livery when I gave livereyes , Brandsby
1614 j liverey coborde, Stockeld
1617 in the pantry ... two livery pottes whitte, Ripley.