Forms: 4 bostere, booster, bostour, boosteere, 4–6 boster, 5 boister, bostare, bostoure, 5–6 boastar, 6 bostar, 6– boaster. [f. BOAST v.1 + -ER1.] One who boasts: † a. a loud talker (obs.); b. one who threatens (obs.); c. one who extols his own deeds or excellences, a braggart, vaunter, arrogant person.

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c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. P., B. 1499. Now a boster on benche bibbes þer-of.

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c. 1375.  Wyclif, Antecrist, in Three Treat. (Todd), 131. Þei chesen to hem boosters sotil men & slyȝe, riche, proude, & Japers.

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a. 1400[?].  Chester Pl., 106. I wotte, by this boisters beare That tribute I muste paye.

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1580.  Baret, Alv., B 964. A craker, a boster, a glorious personne.

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1747.  Lady M. W. Montague, Lett., xxxviii. III. 63. Complainers are seldom pitied, and boasters are seldom believed.

6

1758.  Johnson, Idler, No. 14, ¶ 9. The boaster … blusters only to be praised.

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1870.  Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. ix. 6. He plucks the boaster’s song out of his mouth.

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