1630. Taylor, Wks. And this is it, of ale-houses and innes, Wine-marchants vintners, brewers, who much wins By others losing, I say more or lesse, Who sale of hufcap liquor doe professe.
1870. Mansfield, School Life, p. 180. Washed down by libations of Huff.
1878. Adams, Wykehamica, s.v. Huff, the strong ale brewed by the College.
2. (old).—A swaggering bully; a Hector (q.v.).
1596. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe (Grosart, Works, v., 306). The huff-cappes to drink in that house, thou shalt be sure of always.
1630. Taylor, Wks. But ’tis a maxime mortals cannot hinder, The doughty deeds of Wakefield’s huffe-cap Pinder Are not so pleasant as the faire Aurora, When Nimrod rudely plaid on his bandora.
1687. Clifford, Notes upon Dryden, letter 2. Prethee tell me true, was not this huff-cap once the Indian emperour, and at another time did not he call himself Maximine?
1706. Farquhar, Recruiting Officer, v., 6. You have made a fine speech good Captain Huff-cap.
Adj. (old).—Swaggering; blustering; rousing.
1597. Hall, Satires, i., 3. Graced with huff-cap terms and thundering threats.