a rural folk dance of north English origin, performed in costume traditionally by men who originally represented characters of the Robin Hood legend, esp. in May Day festivities.
Also called morris.
Origin: 1425–75; late ME moreys daunce Moorish dance; see Moorish
1458, moreys daunce "Moorish dance," from Flem. mooriske dans, from O.Fr. morois "Moor." Unknown why the Eng. dance was called this, unless in ref. to fantastic dancing or costumes (cf. It. Moresco, a related dance, lit. "Moorish," Ger. moriskentanz, Fr. moresque).
[mawr-is, mor-] 
ɪs