† ˈlick-spigot Obs.
[f. lick v. + spigot.]
One who licks the spigot; a contemptuous name for a tapster or drawer; also, a parasite.
| 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe Wks. (Grosart) V. 300–1 Let the cunningest licke-spiggot swelt his heart out, the beere shal neuer foame or froath in the cupp. 1599 Middleton, etc. Old Law iv. i, Cook (to the Drawer) Fill, lick-spiggot! 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 509 Parasites..whom the Germans call Schmorotzer and Tellerlecker, that is, smell-feasts and lick-spickets. 1611 Chapman May Day Plays 1873 II. 362, I know the old lickspiggot will be nibling a little when he can come too't. 1700 E. Ward Lond. Spy II. iii. 4 He that salutes the old Lick-spiggot with other Title than that of Mr. Church-Warden runs the hazard of Paying double Taxes. |