Fuddlecap (or Fuddler), subs. (common).—A drunkard; a boon companion. For synonyms, see Lushington.
1607. Dekker, Jests to make you Merie, in wks. (Grosart) ii., 299. And your perfect fuddlecap [is known] by his red nose.
d. 1682. T. Browne, Works, iii., 93. True Protestant fuddlecaps.
1690. B. E., New Dict. of the Canting Crew, fuddlecap, a drunkard.
1748. T. Dyche, Dictionary (5th ed.) Fuddlecap (S.) one that loves tippling, an excessive drinker, or drunkard.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Fuddled, adj. (colloquial).—Stupid with drink. For synonyms, see Drinks and Screwed.
1661. Pepys, Diary, 8 March After dinner, to drink all the afternoon … at last come in Sir William Wale, almost fuddled.
1713. Guardian, No. 145. It was my misfortune to call in at Tom’s last night, a little fuddled.
1730. Thomson, Autumn, 537. The table floating round, And pavement faithless to the fuddled foot.