Cord"wain (k?rd"w?n), n. [OE. cordewan, cordian, OF. cordoan, cordouan, fr. Sp. cordoban. See Cordovan.]
A term used in the Middle Ages for Spanish leather (goatskin tanned and dressed), and hence, any leather handsomely finished, colored, gilded, or the like.
Buskins he wore of costliest cordwain.
Spenser.
© Webster 1913.