Also 6 bowgard, bouguer. [a. F. bougre:—L. Bulgarus Bulgarian, a name given to a sect of heretics who came from Bulgaria in the 11th c., afterwards to other ‘heretics’ (to whom abominable practices were ascribed), also to usurers. See BOUGRE.]
† 1. A heretic: the name was particularly applied to the Albigenses. Obs. exc. Hist.
1340. [see BOUGRE].
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., The Buggers are mentioned by Matthew Paris … under the name of Bugares…. They were strenuously refuted by Fr. Robert, a dominican, surnamed the Bugger, as having formerly made profession of this heresy.
2. One who commits buggery; a sodomite. In decent use only as a legal term.
1555. Fardle Facions, II. x. 224. As rancke bouguers with mankinde, and with beastes, as the Saracenes are.
1587. Turberv., Epitaphs & Sonn., Wks. (1837), 372. To serve his beastly lust … he will leade a bowgards life.
b. In low language a coarse term of abuse or insult; often, however, in Eng. dial. and in U.S., simply = ‘chap,’ ‘customer,’ ‘fellow.’ Cf. BAGGAGE 7.
So in Fr.: ‘Bougre … terme de mépris et d’injure, usité dans le langage populaire le plus trivial et le plus grossier.’ (Littré.)
1719. D’Urfey, Pills, I. 59. From every trench the bougers fly.
1854. Mrs. M. Holmes, Tempest & Sunshine, 203. ‘Mebby if I’d known all you city buggers was comin’, I’d a kivered my bar feet.’
1881. Evans, Leicest. Gloss., s.v., ‘Mister, can ye fit this canny little bugger wi’ a cap?’ said a mother to a shopkeeper of her little boy.
