† ˈdoddard Obs. rare.
[app. f. dod v.1 to poll (trees) + -ard; the formation being parallel to poll-ard: cf. doddle n., dodderel in same sense. But it may have been merely a modification of dottard, dotard (found earlier in same sense) with fanciful assimilation to dod v.1 and its derivatives: see doddered.]
A tree that has lost its head of branches by decay. In quot. attrib. = dotard B. 2.
| 1693 Dryden Persius v. (R.), Another shakes the bed..Till..chalk is in his crippled fingers found; Rots like a doddard oke, and piecemeal falls to ground. |