greave

[greev] /griv/
noun, Armor.
1.
a piece of plate armor for the leg between the knee and the ankle, usually composed of front and back pieces.
Also called jamb, jambeau.
Origin
1300-50; Middle English greves (plural) < Old French < ?
Related forms
greaved, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for greave

greave

/ɡriːv/
noun
1.
(often pl) a piece of armour worn to protect the shin from the ankle to the knee
Derived Forms
greaved, adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Old French greve, perhaps from graver to part the hair, of Germanic origin
Word Origin and History for greave
n.

leg armor, c.1300, from Old French greve "shin, armor for the leg" (12c.), of unknown origin. [Klein suggests it ultimately is from Egyptian Arabic gaurab "stocking, apparel for the leg."]