 
In this passage, Stover is probably the bent or dried Grass still remaining on the land, but it is the common word for hay or straw, or for "fodder and provision for all sorts of cattle; from Estovers, law term, which is so explained in the law dictionaries. Both are derived from Estouvier in the old French, defined by Roquefort—'Convenance, nÉcessitÉ, provision de tout ce qui est nÉcessaire.'"—Nares. The word is of frequent occurrence in the writers of the time of Shakespeare. One quotation from Tusser will be sufficient— "Keepe dry thy straw— "If house-roome will serve thee, lay Stover up drie, And everie sort by it selfe for to lie. Or stack it for litter if roome be too poore, And thatch out the residue, noieng thy door." | ||||||
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