or fuddler, subs. (common).—A drunkard; a boon companion. For synonyms, see LUSHINGTON.
1607. DEKKER, Jests to Make you Merie, in wks. (GROSART) ii., 299. And your perfect FUDDLECAP [is known] by his red nose.
d. 1682. SIR T. BROWNE, Works, iii., 93. I introduc’d his Pagan Worship into a Christian Society of true Protestant FUDDLE-CAPS.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. FUDDLECAP, a drunkard.
1748. T. DYCHE, A New General English Dictionary (5 ed.). FUDDLECAP (S.) one that loves tippling, an excessive drinker, or drunkard.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
