Erst (?), adv. [Orig. superlative of ere; AS. rest. See Ere.] [Archaic]
1.
First.
Chaucer.
2.
Previously; before; formerly; heretofore.
Chaucer.
Tityrus, with whose style he had erst disclaimed all ambition to match his pastoral pipe.
A. W. Ward.
At erst, at first; at the beginning. -- Now at erst, at this present time.
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.