Mentioned in early records. Those who set out or showed wares, "Court de scawyatoribus," 5 Ed. III. (Cal. L. Bk. C. 151, and E. p.267).
Scavage or showage was a toll or duty paid for the oversight of certain officials upon the "showage" or "opening out" of imported goods, from A.S. "sceawian," "to look at," " view " or " search." (