Hen Frigate, subs. (nautical).—A ship commanded by the captain’s wife. Cf., Hen-pecked.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1883. Clark Russell, Sailors’ Language, s.v.
Hen-fruit, subs. (American).—Eggs.
Hen (or Chicken)-hearted, adj. (old: now recognised).—Timorous; cowardly.
d. 1529. Skelton, Why Come Ye not to Courte. They kepe them in their holdes Lyke hen-hearted cuckoldes.
1506–56. Udal, James I. He is reconed a lowte and a henne-hearted rascall.
1639–61. Rump Songs, i., [1662] 319. Let the hen-hearted Cit drink whey.
1748. T. Dyche, Dictionary (5th Ed.). Hen-hearted, of a cowardly, fearful, or timorous disposition.
1754. B. Martin, Eng. Dict. (2nd Ed.), s.v. ‘Poltron.’ A coward, or hen-hearted fellow.