Obs. [f. BUTTER sb.1 + TOOTH: cf. Du. boter-tand ‘an incisor tooth, esp. when broad and large’ (Bomhoff). The reason for the name is uncertain.] Originally perh. a front tooth; later app. = BUCK-TOOTH.
1571. R. Edwards, Damon & P., in Dodsl., IV. 79. Father, you have good butter-teeth full seen.
1622. Massinger, Old Law, III. ii. I’d had … my two butter-teeth Thrust down my throat.
1736. Bailey, Butter-Teeth, great, broad Foreteeth.
1782. A. Monro, Anat., 121. Whence come butter or buck teeth?
Hence Butter-toothed ppl. a.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, II. 427/1. Butter Toothed is to have broad and great teeth before.
