subs. (American).—A euphemism for ‘cock’—(a word impossible on the lips of any delicate American female)—the male of the barndoor hen.
1838. J. C. NEAL, Charcoal Sketches [BARTLETT]. As if the flourish of a quill were the crowing of a ROOSTER.
1855. IRVING, Wolfert’s Roost, 17. The Skinners and Cowboys of the Revolution, when they wrung the neck of a ROOSTER, did not trouble … whether they crowed for Congress or King George.
1870. JUDD, Margaret, II. 1. A huge turkey gobbling in the road, a ROOSTER crowing on the fence.
1870. R. G. WHITE, Words and Their Uses [WALSH]. All birds are ROOSTERS … hens … as well as the cocks. What … delicacy then … in calling the cock a ROOSTER.
1880. Scribner’s Magazine, 770. The crow of an early-rising ROOSTER.
2. (old: now American).—A street brawler; a rough.
1821. P. EGAN, Life in London, II. v. ROOSTERS and the ‘peep-o’-day boys’ were out on a prowl for a spree.
1885. North American Review, cxli. 434. The toughest set of ROOSTERS that ever shook the dust of any town.
3. (venery).—The female pudendum: see MONOSYLLABLE.
See QUEER.
