Obs. Also butado. [mod.F. boutade, taking place of OF. boutée (see -ADE), f. bouter to thrust: for boutado, see -ADO.] A sally, a sudden outburst or outbreak.
1614. Bacon, Lett to K. James (1702), 69 (L.). I did a little mistrust, that it was but a Boutade of Desire, and good Spirit.
1654. Earl Monm., trans. Bentivoglio, 321. This (said he) may be termed a French Butado.
1661. Mercurius Caledonius, 1 March, in Chambers, Cycl. Eng. Lit. All our boutadoes and capriccios.
1704. Swift, T. Tub, IV. 67. His first boutade was to kick both their wives … out of doors.
