Also 7 cacafugo, -fogo, cacofuego. [f. L. cacā-re, Sp. and Pg. cagar to discharge excrement + Sp. fuego (Pg. fogo) fire:—L. focus hearth.] A spitfire; a braggart.
(The name of the Spanish galleon taken by Drake in 1577.)
1625. Fletcher, Fair Maid, III. i. She will be ravisht before our faces by rascalls and cacafugos, wife, cacafugoes!
c. 1661. Argyle’s Will, in Harl. Misc. (1746), VIII. 27/2. Presbytery will soon lose a prating, nonsensical Cacafuego.
1696. Phillips, Cacafuego, a Spanish word signifying Shitefire; and it is used for a bragging vapouring fellow.
1721–90. in Bailey.
1725. in New Cant. Dict.
[1775. Ash, Cacafuego, an insect in Spain said to dart fire from its tail.]
