† ˈbarley-ˌcap Obs.
[f. barley, as source of malt liquor: cf. barley-hood.]
In phr. to have on or wear a barley-cap: to be tipsy; hence barley-cap = tippler.
| 1598 E. Guilpin Skial. (1878) 67 Some weeuil, mault-worme, barly-cap. 1611 Cotgr., Forbeu..pot-shotten, whose fudling or barley Cap is on. 1679 O. Heywood in Yorksh. Diaries (Surt.) II. 262 He never wore a cap, unlesse it was a barley-cap. |