[f. BOB v.2]
† 1. A blow with the fist; a firm rap. Dry bob: a blow that does not break the skin. Obs.
1571. Ascham, Scholem. (Arb.), 47. So cruellie threatened, yea presentlie some tymes with pinches, nippes, and bobbes, and other waies.
1589. Pappe w. Hatchet (1844), 21. Giue thee as many bobs on the eare, as thou hast eaten morsels.
a. 1604. Churchyard, in Nichols, Progr. Q. Eliz., III. 437. They feel fowl bobs that for their bucklars strives.
1616. Surfl. & Markh., Countr. Farm, 711. Give him many a drie bob.
a. 1626. Bp. Andrewes, Serm. (1856), I. 261. They then gave Him a bob blindfold.
1721. Cibber, Rival Fools, III. ad fin. I only find Bobs, Blows and Noise In my poor Wooing.
† 2. fig. A rap with the tongue, a sharp rebuke, a rap over the knuckles; often (by uniting with the sense of BOB sb.2), a taunt, bitter jest or jibe, scoff. (Also dry bob as in 1.) Obs.
1571. Damon & P., in Dodsley (1874), IV. 81. You are like to bear the bob, for we will give it.
1580. Lodge, Answ. Gosson, 19. Here is the greatest bob I can gather out of your booke.
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., II. vii. 55. Hee, that a Foole doth very wisely hit, Doth very foolishly, although he smart, Seeme senselesse of the bob.
1606. Sir G. Goosecappe, V. i. in Bullen, O. Pl., III. 75. Marry him, sweet Lady, to answere his bitter bob.
1611. Cotgr., Ruade seiche, a drie bob, jeast, or nip.
1709. [E. Ward], Rambling Fuddle-Caps, 7. Keep your Flirts to your self, and your merry dry Bobs.
1731. Bailey, Dry Bob, a Taunt or Scoff.
a. 1734. North, Exam., II. v. ¶ 164. So here is a Bob for the Court, and they deserve it.
3. A light or elastic blow as with anything rebounding; a tap. (Influenced by next word.)
1611. Cotgr., Mantonniere, a chocke, or bob vnder the chinne.
¶ Hence perh. blind-bob, an old name of blindmans-buff: cf. BOB v.1 3.
1783. Ainsworth, Lat. Dict., s.v. Myinda, Bond-man-blind, blind-bob.