1553. Wilson, Arte of Rhetorique, p. 112. The counseler heareth causes with lesse pain being emptie, then he shal be able after a ful gorge.
1883. Daily News, March 24, p. 3, c. 4. The keeper tries these brutes once a week to see whether they are ready for a gorge, and the python has been known to devour eight ducks at one meal, feathers and all, before signifying enough.
2. (theatrical).—A manager; an abbreviation of gorger (q.v.).
Verb (vulgar).—To eat voraciously; also to gulp as a fish does when it swallows (or gorges) a bait. For synonyms, see Wolf.
1572. Satirical Poems, Scottish Text Society, 1889–91, ‘Lamentacioun,’ ii., 232. Gorged waters ever greater grows.
1633. Massinger, New Way to Pay Old Debts, iii., 2. Mar. Come, have patience If you will dispense a little with your worship, And sit with the waiting women, you’ll have dumpling, Woodcock, and butter’d toasts too. Greedy. This revives me: I will gorge there sufficiently.
1654. Chapman, Revenge for Honour, Act i., Sc. 1. Here men o’ th’ shop can gorge their musty maws With the delicious capon, and fat limbs of mutton.
1748. T. Dyche, Dictionary (5th ed.). Gorge (v.), to eat over-much, to cram, glut, or fill unreasonably. [[186]]
1843. Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit, ch. xxxiv., p. 336. No man had spoken a word; every one had been intent, as usual, on his own private gorging; and the greater part of the company were decidedly dirty feeders.
1853. Wh. Melville, Digby Grand, ch. iii. Who might be such a fine race, if they would only not gorge their food so rapidly.