[f. CHAMP v.]
1. a. The action of champing. b. dial. or slang. ‘Feeding,’ appetite.
1604. Friar Bacon’s Proph., in Hazl., E. P. P., IV. 281. Lowre, and poute, and chafe, and champe, Brings all the household in a dampe.
1816. Byron, Siege of Cor., xxii. White is the foam of their champ on the bit.
1843. Lever, J. Hinton, li. (1878), 328. The very monotonous champ of my horse feeding beside me.
1877. E. Peacock, N.-W. Linc. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Champ, appetite. ‘You’re off your champ to-day. What’s matter wi’ ye.’
1885. W. T. Hornady, in Athenæum, 5 Dec., 728/1. [The elephant] winds a soft juicy piece of it up to his mouth, and begins a measured ‘champ! champ! champ!’
2. dial. Anything champed or reduced to a pulp or soft mass; a trampled mire.
1825–79. Jamieson, Champ, a mire; ‘that’s a perfect champ.’
1880. Antrim & Down Gloss., Champ, mashed potatoes.
