[app. f. WHIP v. + -STER. Cf. prec. and WHIPPING ppl. a. 1.]
1. A vague term of reproach, contempt, or the like, with various shades of meaning. a. A lively, smart, reckless, violent or mischievous person. Obs. or dial.
1589. R. Harvey, Pl. Perc., 3. They had neede be large long Spoons … if I come to feed with such whipsters.
1593. G. Harvey, Pierce’s Super., Wks. (Grosart), II. 63. You that intende to be fine companionable gentlemen, smirkinge wittes, and whipsters in the world.
1683. Kennett, trans. Erasm. on Folly, 18. Cupid feigned as a boy,… because he is an underwitted whipster [orig. nugator], that neither acts nor thinks any thing with discretion.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Whipster, a sharp, or subtil Fellow.
1822. W. Irving, Braceb. Hall (1845), 223. The whipsters roam in truant bands about the neighbourhood.
1906. T. Sinton, Poetry of Badenoch, 432. Be ye like a whipster from school, and never stop without your pleasure.
b. A wanton, lascivious, or licentious person, a debauchee. Obs. or dial.
1593. Passionate Morrice (1876), 81. I should quite fray away many of M. Anthonies companions from bestowing their affections on so liberall whipsters.
1667. Dryden & Dk. Newcastle, Sir M. Mar-all, IV. i. There were Whipsters abroad, i’ faith, Padders of Maiden-heads.
1697. Vanbrugh, Prov. Wife, V. iii. To deliver up her fair Body, to be tumbled and mumbled, by that young Liquorish Whipster.
[1898. R. Blakeborough, Wit, etc. N. Riding Yorkshire, Gloss., Whipster, a doubtful character.]
c. A slight, insignificant or contemptible person. (The current literary sense, often with the epithet puny, after Shaks.)
1604. Shaks., Oth., V. ii. 244. I am not valiant neither: But euery Punie whipster gets my Sword.
1682. D’Urfey, Injured Princess, IV. iv. A plaguy little Whipster this.
1708. Rowe, Royal Convert, Prol. Each puny Whipster here, is Wit enough.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., xxxiv. When I first saw this whipster.
1840. Thackeray, Paris Sk.-bk. (1869), 42. Every little whipster of a French poet.
1882. Stevenson, Across the Plains, iii. (1892), 141. No tearful whipster.
2. One who wields a whip: a. a driver of horses; b. one addicted to whipping or flogging, a scourger, lasher (also fig.). ? Obs.
1651. Cleveland, News from Newc., 29. He’d leave the trotting Whipster, and prefer Our profound Vulcan ’bove that Wagoner.
1670. Comenius Janua Ling., § 504. 132. A school master should take care of being curst (a whipster).
1707. J. Stevens, trans. Quevedo’s Com. Wks. (1709), R 2. The Whipsters … laid aside their Disciplines.
1825. Lamb, Ass, Wks. 1903, I. 304. To see one of those refiners in discipline himself at the cart’s tail, with just such a convenient spot laid bare to the tender mercies of the whipster.
