1825, obsolete colloquial, from least + way (n.). Regarded as vulgar, but simply a one-word form of Chaucer's leest weye (late 14c.). Compare leastwise (adv.) "in the least, at least," attested from 1610s, 1530s as two words.
learnt
lease
leasehold
leash
least
leastways
leather
leather-back
leathern
leatherneck
leatherstocking