Chiefly dial. [Another form of CADDIS2 (dial. caddy); but there is nothing to show the actual relations to each other of cad, caddy, and caddis, nor which is the primitive form.] A caddis or caddis worm. Called more fully cod-bait, cad-bait, cad-bit, cad-bote, cad-worm.
1651–3. [see CADDIS2].
1653. W. Lauson, Comm. Secr. Angling, in Arb., Garner, I. 194. Cad bait is a worm bred under stones in a shallow river.
1677. N. Cox, Gentl. Recreat., Fishing (1706), 41. Wasps, Gentles and Cad-bits are good baits for the Gudgeon.
1741. Compl. Fam. Piece, II. ii. 345. Tench delight chiefly in Worms … as the Lob-worm, Marsh-worm, Cad-worm, and Flag-worm.
1792. Osbaldiston, Brit. Sportsman, 85/1. Cadbate, a worm, good bait for trout.
1833. J. Rennie, Alph. Angling, 34. The grubs, which are known by the name of caddis-worms, case-worms, cad or cod bait, and ruff-coats, are the young of flies.
Northampton Dial. We are going to the brook for some cads.
† 2. Cad-worm, applied in derision to a man. Obs.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Wks., II. 155. This Cadworme, hauing onely got Rime, which is but the buttons and loopes to couple Verse together.
