cock-bawd en · NOUN
Etymology
From cock (“male”) + bawd.
Meanings
-
(historical) A man who runs a brothel; a pimp.
This gentleman no sooner entered the room, than Cadwallader, in a whisper to Gauntlet, asked if that was not the cock-bawd; and before the captain could make any reply, "What an unconscionable whore-master the rogue is! (said he) […] "
1751, Tobias Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle:Mr. Brown (well known to be Proveditor-General in the Hundreds of Drury) was at the Door and wanted to speak with her herself, upon which she ordered her Maid to bid the Cock-Bawd come in, which she did […]
1723, Charles Walker, Memoirs of Sally Salisbury, section VI:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| cock-bawds | Number=Plur | lexicographic |