from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sumptuary \Sump"tu*a*ry\, a. [L. sumptuarius, fr. sumptus
expense, cost, fr. sumere, sumptum, to take, use, spend; sub
under + emere to take, buy: cf. F. somptuaire. See {Redeem}.]
Relating to expense; regulating expense or expenditure.
--Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
{Sumptuary laws} or {Sumptuary regulations}, laws intended to
restrain or limit the expenditure of citizens in apparel,
food, furniture, etc.; laws which regulate the prices of
commodities and the wages of labor; laws which forbid or
restrict the use of certain articles, as of luxurious
apparel.
[1913 Webster]