▪ I. swasher1, swesher Sc. Obs. exc. Hist.
In 6 swasche(a)r, swacher, suescher, swescher, -eour.
[f. swash n.2, swesh + -er1.]
A drummer.
| 15.. Aberd. Reg. (Jam.) Commoun tabernar and swescher. 1576 in Maitl. Club Misc. (1840) II. 340 Gevin Carsane the swaschear that day we moustirit xxx s. 1600 in Pitcairn Crim. Trials II. 245 To the townes twa swascheris. |
▪ II. swasher2
(ˈswɒʃə(r))
[f. swash v. + -er1.]
A swashbuckler; a blustering braggart or ruffian; Sc. a swaggerer, showy fellow. See also quot. 1866.
| 1589 [? Nashe] Almond for Parrat Ded. 3 Neither must you thinke his worship is to pure to be such a swasher. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, iii. ii. 28 As young as I am, I haue obseru'd these three Swashers. 1619 A. Newman Pleas. Vis. 30, I no blaspheming Roarer was, No Swasher, no Repent-too-late. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. i. ii. iii. xv. 170 They cannot..make congies, which euery common swasher can doe. 1821 Scott Kenilw. iii, Known for a swasher and a desperate Dick. 1866 Gregor Banffsh. Gloss., Swasher, (1) a person of tall stature, and somewhat ostentatious manners. (2) Anything whatever large and attracting attention. 1889 T. T. Stoddart Angling Songs 300 Sic a swasher I ween Is rare to be seen. |