From Middle English steven (“voice, command, constitution”), from Old English stefn (“voice”), from Proto-West Germanic *stebnu, from Proto-Germanic *stebnō (“voice”), earlier *stemnā, derived from Proto-Indo-European *stómn̥ (“mouth, muzzle; (originally) hole?”). Cognate with Old Frisian stifne, stemme (“voice”), Old Saxon stemna (“voice”), Dutch stem, Old High German stimma, stimna (“voice”) (German Stimme), Gothic 𐍃𐍄𐌹𐌱𐌽𐌰 (stibna, “voice”), and more distantly Ancient Greek στόμα (stóma, “mouth”), Avestan 𐬯𐬙𐬀𐬨𐬀𐬥 (staman, “maw”), and possibly Hittite 𒅖𒋫𒈪𒈾𒀸 (iš-ta-mi-na-aš /stāminas/, “ear”). See also stevvon. Displaced by voice.
1566, William Addlington, translator, The Golden Asse, Apuleius […] whereby the little birds weening that the spring time had bin come, did chirp and sing in their steven melodiously […]
When Little John heard his master speake, / Well knew he it was his steven.17th c., Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne
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Then could her Sangsters loud their steven raise.a. 1801, Richard Gall, Poems & Songs (1819) 93
All nature roar'd in one dire steven; Heaven cried to earth, and earth to heaven.1826, James Hogg, Queen Hynde vi, in Poems (1865) 262
Thah's a rare stevven, lad.1865, William Stott Banks, List Provinc. Words Wakefield:
Then Sir Launcelot said with dreary steeven [voice], “Sir bishop, I pray you give to me all my rights that longeth to a Christian man.”1880, Sidney Lanier, Sir Thomas Malory, Alfred Kappes, The Boy's King Arthur:
To thee, lady, y make my moon; I praie thee heere my steuen.a. 1500, "Hymns to Virgin, etc. (E. E. T. S.), p. 6"
Father of light […] Bring to effect this my desired steauen.1589, Thomas Lodge, Scillaes Metamorphosis E 2:
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And brought thy precept?^([sic – meaning precepts]) as a burning steauen, Reaching from heauen to earth, from earth to heauen.1597, Thomas Middleton, Wisdome of Solomon Paraphr. xviii. xiv–xvi. sig. Y3v:
Etymology From Middle English steven (“appointment”), from Old English stefn (“a time, turn, tour of duty”), from Proto-Germanic *stabnijaz, *stabnijô (“fixed time”), from Proto-Indo-European *stebʰ- (“a stake, post; to support, stamp, insist, become angry”). Cognate with Middle Low German stevene (“a court appointment”), Old Norse stefna (“appointment, meeting”). More at staff.
And that same nyght that the steavyn was sette betwyxte Segwarydes wyff and Sir Trystrames, so Kynge Marke armed and made hym redy ….1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book VIII
I should choose to read "at this dull season," rather than this dull steven, [...]— John Monck Mason.1788, Samuel Johnson, George Steevens, The dramatick writings of Will. Shakspere, with the Notes of all the various Commentators:
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Let us some masteries make, And we will walk in the woods even; We may chance meet with Robin Hood Here at some unset steven.1894, Reginald Brimley Johnson, “Robin Hood”, in Popular British Ballads, Ancient and Modern, page 167: