Obs. A title of honor among the Indians of Virginia; hence, a person of consequence among the colonists there.
1624. Capt. Smith, Virginia, II. 38. They haue … but few occasions to vse any officers more then one commander, which commonly they call Werowance, or Caucorouse, which is Captaine. [The words ‘or Caucorouse’ are not in Map of Virginia (1612), 36, the original of the passage.]
1705. Beverley, Virginia, III. 57 (Bartlett). A Cockarouse is one that has the Honour to be of the King or Queens Council, with relation to the affairs of the Government.
1708. [Ebenezer Cooke], Sot-Weed Factor: or, Voyage to Maryland, 19 (Bartlett).
| Where in an ancient Cedar House, | |
| Dwelt my new Friend a Cockerouse. |
1727–31. in Bailey, Cockarouse among the Virginian Indians.
