Obs. Also -lin. [f. SWAIN sb. + -LING.] A poor or young swain or rustic. Also, a rustic female sweetheart.
1615. Brathwait, Strappado (1878), 135. Ladies & Lordings, Swainelings with their swaines. Ibid. (1621), Nat. Embassie, etc., 213. Honest Swainling, with his Sweeting. Ibid. (1638), Barnabees Jrnl., Ee iij. Bonny blith Swainlir [Vir vere lactus] intend thy Lamkin.
1651. S. Sheppard, Pastorals, 462. They passe us Swainlings all as farr, As doth the Moon the smallest Star.
1672. S. S., Hist. Dorastus & Fawnia, 18. The swainlings who live neer.
