Obs. Also in 6 bagge. [Origin unknown; app. the source of badger sb.1 (though it may have been a back-formation from that word taken as an agent-noun). Fuller derived it from L. bājulāre to carry (as if a cant contraction baj., cf. the modern zoo., cab., etc.), but evidence is required before this can be admitted for the 15th c.] To deal as a badger; to hawk for sale; to buy up (provisions) for the purpose of selling again elsewhere; hence, to regrate.
1552. Bp. Hooper, in Strype’s Cranmer, App. 135. The Statute of Regrators is so usid, that in many quarters of these partes it wil do little good: and in some parts, where as licence by the Justices wil not be grauntyd, the people are mouche offendid, that they shuld not, as wel as other, bagge as they were wount to do. [Cf. BADGER 1, quot. 1552.]
1605. J. Davies, Humour’s Heav. on E. (1876), 37. Some others followed her [i.e. Fortune] by badging land.
1611. in North Riding Rec. (1884), I. 240. Marm. Foxton of Brompton [presented] for badging of butter.
1700. R. Gough, Hist. Myddle, 115. His imployment was buying corne in one markett towne and selling it in another, which is called badgeing.
1729–72. Jacob, Law Dict., Kidder … one that badges, or carries corn, dead victual, or other merchandize up and down to sell.
Badge v.3, variant of BAG v.2
