Scout

subs. (Oxford University).—1.  A college servant—a valet, waiter, messenger, &c., in one (GROSE).

  1750.  The Student, i. 55. My SCOUT, indeed, is a very learned fellow.

  1822.  SCOTT, The Fortunes of Nigel, xvi. No SCOUT in Oxford, no gyp in Cambridge, ever matched him in speed and intelligence.

  1841.  HEWLETT, Peter Priggins, the College SCOUT [Title].

  1853.  REV. E. BRADLEY (‘Cuthbert Bede’), The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman, iii. Mr. Robert Filcher, the excellent, though occasionally erratic SCOUT.

  1884.  JULIAN STURGIS, in Longman’s Magazine, v. 65. The old don went back to his chair … as his SCOUT came in with a note.

  2.  (old).—A watchman, or (modern) a spy, esq. a police spy. Hence SCOUT-KEN = a watch-house (POULTER [1754], GROSE, VAUX).

  1800.  G. PARKER, Life’s Painter, 116. There’s no hornies, traps, SCOUTS, nor beak-runners amongst them.

  1821.  P. EGAN, Life in London, II. iii.

  3.  (old).—A watch (B. E., GROSE).

  1688.  SHADWELL, The Squire of Alsatia, ii. Sirrah! here’s a SCOUT; what’s a clock, what’s a clock, Sirrah.

  1821.  D. HAGGART, Life, 28. Sporting an elegant dress SCOUT, drag, and chates.

  4.  (old).—A mean fellow; a SCAB (q.v.).—B. E.

  1749.  SMOLLETT, Roderick Random, xv. Though I be a poor cobbler’s son, I am no SCOUT.

  Verb. (Sporting).—To shoot pigeons outside a gun-club enclosure.

  TO SCOUT ON THE LAY, verb. phr. (thieves’).—To go in search of booty.

  c. 1787.  Kilmainham Minit [Ireland Sixty Years Ago, 88].