† Chichevache

Obs. [A perversion of chichefache, north. Fr. form of chicheface, chincheface lit. ‘thin-face,’ ‘niggard-face,’ ‘ugly face,’ ‘une chimère dont ils font peur aux petits enfants’ (see Godefroy). The perverted chichevache = ‘ugly’ or ‘lean cow,’ is found only in Eng., and, so far as is known, first in Chaucer. (See Montaiglon, Poésie franç. 15^e et 16^e siècles (1855), II. 191.)] The proper name of a fabulous monster said to feed only on patient wives, and hence, from the scarcity of the diet, to be always lean and hungry. Cf. BYCORNE.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Clerk’s T., 1132. O noble wyuys ful of prudence Let noon humilite ȝoure tunge nayille … Lest Chicheuache [v.r. chichi-, chyche-, chychyuache] you swolwe in hire entrayle.

c. 1430.  Lydg., Chichevache & B., in Dodsley (1780), XII. Chichevache etith wymmen goode.