[f. SWASH sb.1]
† 1. = SWASHING ppl. a. 2. Obs.
1599. Minsheu, Sp. Dict., Dial. (1623), 30. This wound hurts me not much, for it is giuen with the hand vpward, but beware of the swash blow [Spanish el rebés], for I will draw it with the hand downwards.
2. † a. ? Swashbuckling, swaggering: = SWASHING ppl. a. 1. Obs. b. Swell, swagger, showy. dial.
c. 1600. Day, Begg. Bednall Gr., II. ii. (1881), 39. Old Simsons son that wears his great gall gaskins o the Swash-fashion, with 8 or 10 gold laces of a side.
1635. J. Gower, Pyrgomachia, A 3 b. Some others Are of the rash-swash-fellowes band.
1713. S. Sewall, Diary, 5 Nov. I first see Col. Tho. Noyes in a swash Flaxen Wigg.
1866. Gregor, Banffsh. Gloss., Swash, (1) gaudy; showy . (2) Of ostentatious manners.
1877. Holderness Gloss., Swash, showy; gaudy.