Erst (ẽrst), adv. [Orig. superlative of ere; AS. ǣrest. See Ere.] 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.