Obs. Also 5 bowge, 7 budge. Corrupt form of BOUCHE sb.1, court-rations; also used by Ben Jonson in the sense of ‘provisions.’
1461–83. Ord. R. Househ., Liber Niger Edw. IV., 19. The Lyvery for horses at bouge of Court, of gentlemen & many other, &c. now is lefte.
1540. St. Papers Hen. VIII., I. 623. Every of them to have lyke bouge of courte.
1611. Cotgr., Avoir bouche à Court, to eat and drinke scotfree, to haue budge-a-Court, to be in ordinarie at Court.
a. 1616. B. Jonson, Love Restor., 87. A bombard man, that brought bouge for a Countrey Lady or two that fainted … with fasting. Ibid., Mercurie Vind., Wks. (1692), 377. I am to deliver the buttry in, so many firkins of aurum potabile, as it delivers out bombards of budge to them.
