1848. Duncombe, Sinks of London, s.v.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v.
Groaning, subs. (old).—The act of parturition. Also, adj., parturient; or appertaining to parturition: as in groaning-malt (Scots’) = drink for a lying-in; groaning-pains = the pangs of delivery; groaning-wife = a woman ready to lie-in.
1594. Nashe, Unfort. Trav. (Chiswick Press, 1892), p. 92. As smoothe as a groaning-wive’s bellie.
1596. Shakspeare, Hamlet, iii., 2. It would cost you a groaning to take off my edge.
1786. Burns, The Rantin’ Dog the Daddie O’t. Wha will bring the groaning-malt?
Groats, subs. (nautical).—The chaplain’s monthly allowance.
To save one’s groats, verb. phr. (old University).—To come off handsomely. [At the Universities nine groats are deposited in the hands of an academic officer by every person standing for a degree, which, if the depositor obtains, with honour, are returned to him.—Grose.]
Grocery, subs. (common).—1. Small change.
1728. Bailey, Eng. Dict., s.v.