from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
MERCHANDISE. By this term is understood all those things which merchants
sell either wholesale or retail, as dry goods, hardware, groceries, drugs,
&c. It is usually applied to personal chattels only, and to those which are
not required for food or immediate support, but such as remain after having
been used or which are used only by a slow consumption. Vide Pardess. n. 8;
Dig. 13, 3, 1; Id. 19, 4, 1; Id. 50, 16, 66. 8 Pet. 277; 2 Story, R. 16, 53,
54; 6 Wend. 335.