croshabell en · NOUN
Etymology
Blend of crouse (“lively, bold”) + belle (“attractive woman”)
Meanings
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(obsolete) A prostitute.
[…]in Italian called a curtezan, in Spain, a margerite, in French une curtain, in England, among the barbarous, a whore, but among the gentle, their usual associates, a punk: but now the word refined being latest, and the authority brought from a climate as yet unconquered, the fruitful county of Kent, they call them croshabell, which is a word but lately used, and fitting with their trade, being of a lovely and courteous condition.
1607, “How George Read a Play-Book to a Gentleman”, in The Jests of George Peele; republished in The Works of George Peele, 2nd edition, volume 2, London: William Pickering, 1829, page 290:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| croshabells | Number=Plur | lexicographic |