Etymology Dictionary

PALFREY,  a saddle-horse, esp. a lady's horse.  (F.,—Low Lat.)   In early use.   M.E. palefrai, O. Eng. Homilies, ed. Morris, i. 5, l. 20; later palfrei, Chaucer, C. T. 2497.—O.F. palefrei (13th century, Littré), palefroy, 'a palfrey,' Cot.; mod. F. palefroi.   Spelt palefreid in the 11th century; Littré.—Low Lat. paraveredus, a post-horse, lit. 'an extra post-horse' (White).   Brachet gives quotations for the later forms paravredus, parafredus, and palafredus (10th century); and O.F. palefreid = Low Lat. acc. palafredum; every step being traced with certainty.   β. The Low Lat. paraveredus is a hybrid formation from Gk. παρά, beside (hence extra); and late Lat. ueredus, a post-horse, courier's horse (White).

ADDENDA

With Low Lat. ueredus cf. W. gorwydd, a horse; Rhŷs, Celtic Britain, p. 295.