Obs. A humorous formation after horseback. Chiefly in phr. on (or a) footback = (traveling) on foot.
1589. Nashe, Pref. to Greene’s Menaphon, 17. Beggers [have forgot] that euer they caried their fardles on footback.
a. 1615. Fletcher, Woman’s Prize, I. iii.
| To morrow morning we shall have you looke, | |
| For all your great words, like St. George at Kingston, | |
| Running a foot-back from the furious Dragon, | |
| That with her angry tayle belabours him | |
| For being lazie. |
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Odcomb’s Compt., 79.
| Should foot-back trotting Trauellers intend | |
| To match his trauels, all were to no end. |
