Now dial. or techn. Also 6 knubbe, 7 knubb. See also NUB. [Early mod.E. = LG. knubbe, MLG. knubbe, knobbe, knot, knob, protuberance, lump, etc., Da. knub block, log, stump: see KNOB.]
1. A small lump, a protuberance; esp. a small swelling on the body, a boil; = KNOB sb. 1, 1 b.
1570. Levins, Manip., 181/31. Knubbe, bruscum, callum.
1575. Turberv., Faulconrie, 344. If a hawkes feete be but swolne and have not any Knubs in the ball of the foote.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 434. Frogs … with two knubs bearing out in their front like horns. Ibid., 196. The same juice … healeth the clifts and swelling knubs in the fundament.
1662. R. Mathew, Unl. Alch., 137. A Woman far gone in a Scurvie,… ful of spots and knubs as big as French Nuts about her body.
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Knub, a knob.
1898. F. T. Bullen, Cruise ‘Cachalot,’ 178. I came butt up against something solid, the feel of which gathered all my scattered wits into a compact knub of dread.
† 2. A stag of the second year, a knobber. Obs.
1617. Assheton, Jrnl. (Chetham Soc.), 61. A knubb was killed and a calf.
3. The innermost wrapping of the chrysalis in a silk cocoon: usually NUB.
1812. J. Smyth, Pract. of Customs (1821), 214. Husks and Knubs are the refuse, which is thrown aside by the windster, during the process of winding the Silk from the cocoons.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, s.v., A large quantity is imported under the names of ‘knubs and husks’ which is carded and spun up into various common silk stuffs.
