subs. (old: now recognised).—1. See quots.
1577–82. BRETON, A Floorish vpon Fancie [GROSART (1879), I. a. 4, 1, 12].
| For he that thinkes to be a Lorde first day, | |
| Will misse a Lorde, and prooue a LOUTE straight way. |
1583. GREENE, Mamillia [GROSART (1881–6), ii. 6]. Then may I well be dubbed a dolt, which dare take in hand to decipher the substaunce of loue, that am but a LOUT; or to shew the force of fancie, which am but a foole.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. LOUT, a heavy idle Fellow.
1725. A New Canting Dictionary, s.v.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. LOUT, a clumsey stupid fellow.
2. (Rugby School).—Anyone of the poorer classes: not necessarily an awkward, lubberly individual.
