Obs. [f. WAG v. + HALTER sb.1 Cf. wag-string, -with s.v. WAG v. 12.] One who is likely to swing in a halter; a ‘gallows-bird.’
1570. Levins, Manip., 80/39. A Waghalter furcifer, perditus.
c. 1570. Misogonus, IV. ii. 6. Stand out of my way wagghalter or I will britche the nakte.
1611. Cotgr., Baboin,… a crack-rope, waghalter, vnhappie rogue.
1620. Shelton, 2nd Pt. Don Quix., iii. 16. This Bachelour … was … a notable Wag-halter.
attrib. 1546. [see SLIP-STRING 1].
1638. Ford, Fancies, I. ii. Nit. What a terrible sight to a lib’d breech is a sow gelder? Spa. Not so terrible as a crosse tree that never growes, to a wag-halter-Page.
