The largest department of the king's household, with a staff of between 100 and 200 grooms and valets. Under the charge of the *avener, they tended, groomed and fed the horses of the entire household, king, officials, attendants etc., and also those of visitors. [< Lat. avena = oats, straw]
Cf. Avener
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.