Obs. ‘Supposed to be a kind of sallow colour’ (Nares).
(In the first quot. it is associated with Croydon in Surrey, but app. only as a humorous play upon the name.)
1567. R. Edwards, Damon & P., in Hazl., Dodsley, IV. 80. [To Grim, the collier of Croydon] By’r Lady, you are of a good complexion, A right Croyden sanguine.
1596. Harington, Metam. Ajax, L vij (N.). A complexion inclining to the Oriental colour of a croydon-sanguine.
1630. Breton, Post w. Packet. Your Croidon sanguine is a most fine complexion.
