dial. or slang. [? var. of FOUTRE.] (See quots.). ? Hence Footer v., to trifle, ‘potter about.’ Footering ppl. a.

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1753.  A. Murphy, Gray’s-Inn Journal, No. 36., True Intellig. A Thief,—a low Fellow,—a Footer.

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1825.  J. Jennings, Somerset Gloss., Footer.… A scurvy fellow; a term of contempt.

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1847.  Halliwell, Footer, to idle.

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1893.  Stevenson, Vailima Lett. (1895), xxx. 273. We don’t want bland Swedish humbugs, and fussy, footering German barons. That way the maelstrom lies, and we shall soon be in it.

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