[f. STROLL v. + -ING2.] That strolls; wandering, roving, itinerant. Chiefly in strolling actor, player, an actor of a low class, who wanders about the country, giving performances in temporary buildings or hired rooms.
1621. B. Jonson, Masque Gypsies, Wks. (1640), 77. From a strolling Tinkers sheete, Or a payre of Carriers feet…. Blesse the Sov’raigne, and his smelling.
1641. Brome, Joviall Crew, V. (1652), N 3 b. But is there a Play to be expected, and acted by Beggars? Cla. That is to say, by Vagabonds; that is to say, by strowling Players.
1673. R. Head, Canting Acad., 86. Strowling-Morts are such as pretend to be Widdows, travelling about from County to County, making laces upon [st]aves, as Beggars tape, or the like.
1676. (title) Scarron’s Comical Romance: or, a facetious history of a company of strowling stage-players … turn’d into English.
1701. De Foe, True-born Eng., 15. The Strolling Bands of banish’d Fugitives from Neighb’ring Lands.
1709. J. Johnson, Clergym. Vade M., II. p. cvi. This Canon was designed against those strowling Scotch Bishops who Ordained any for Money.
1789. Mrs. Piozzi, Journ. France, etc. I. 432. I put me in mind of Hogarth’s strolling actresses.
1823. Scott, Quentin D., ii. The strolling spearman, half soldier, half brigand.
1837. Dickens, Pickw., iii. ‘He is a strolling-actor,’ said the Lieutenant contemptuously.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. VII. xi. To lodge there, somewhat in strolling-player fashion.
1863. Kinglake, Crimea (1876), I. xiv. 233. As though he were dealing with a mere troop of strolling players.
