or bully-rock, subs. phr. (old).—Originally a boon-companion; later, however = a swaggerer, a bully, a bravo.

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  1596.  SHAKESPEARE, Merry Wives of Windsor, i. 3. Why says my BULLY-ROOK?

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  1633.  SHIRLEY, The Witty Fair One, iii., 4. Suck in the spirit of sack, till we be delphic, and prophesy, my BULLY-ROOK.

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  c. 1696.  B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. BULLY-ROCK, c. a Hector, or Bravo.

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  1697.  The Praise of Yorkshire Ale.

        My BULLY-ROCKS, I’ve been experienced long
In most of liquors.

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  1754.  B. MARTIN, English Dictionary (2 ed.). Bully, or BULLY-ROCK, 1. a boisterous, hectoring fellow.

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