subs. (old).—1. A whoremonger; a pimp.
1775. ASH, Dictionary. BELSWAGGER, a whoremaster.
2. (old).—A swaggering bully; a HECTOR. (q.v.).
1592. GREENE, The Defence of Conny-catching, in Works, XI., 85. the Poligamoi or BEL-SWAGGERS of the country.
16[?]. FLETCHER, Wit without Money, iii. 1.
| Let Mims be angry at their ST. BEL-SWAGGER, | |
| And we pass in the heat on’t, and be beaten. |
1680. DRYDEN, Limberham; or, the Kind Keeper, iv. i. [Works, IV, 337]. Fifty guineas! Dost thou think I’ll sell my self?… thou impudent BELSWAGGER.
1697. World in the Moon. Mean? why here has been a young BELSWAGGER, a great he-rogue, with your daughter, sir.
1721. BAILEY, English Dictionary, s.v. BELLSWAGGER, a swaggering Fellow, a hectoring Blade, a Bully.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. BELL SWAGGER, a noisy bullying fellow.
