[Of obscure origin; perh. ad. Pg. froco (repr. L. floccus FLOCK sb.), which has much the same sense.]
1. An attachment to the waist-belt in which a sword or bayonet or hatchet may be carried.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, I. xv. A belt with a frog hanging to it, such as … we wear hangers in. Ibid. (1725), Voy. round World (1840), 150. We had also every man a hatchet, hung in a little frog at his belt.
1876. Voyle & Stevenson, Milit. Dict., Frog … that part of a soldier’s accoutrements which is attached to the waist-belt for holding the bayonet.
1879. Rutley, Study Rocks, v. 40. Short-shafted hammers are most easily carried in a small leathern frog with a flap.
2. An ornamental fastening for the front of a military coat or cloak, consisting of a spindle-shaped button, covered with silk or other material, which passes through a loop on the opposite side of the garment.
1746. Berkeley, Let., Wks. 1871, IV. 306. Sleeves, facings, caps, flaps, tall caps, double breasts, laces, frogs, cockades, plaited shirts, shoulder-knots, belts, and buttons more than enough are so many drawbacks or obstacles to a soldier’s exerting his strength in the proper way, in marching, fighting, and pursuing.
1770. W. Richardson, Anecd. Russian Emp., 325. In a light blue frock with silver frogs.
1796. J. Anstey, Pleader’s Guide (1803), 181. The coat … With tabby lin’d and frogs complete.
1836. Dickens, Sk. Boz, vii. He wore a braided surtout with frogs behind.
1846. Hist. Rec. 3rd Light Dragoons, 39. The buttons set on three and three upon yellow frogs or loops.
1848. Craig, Frog … a small barrel-shaped silk ornament with tassels, used in the decoration of mantles, etc.
1896. Daily News, 19 March, 6/5. Serge suits and tweed costumes are better adapted than any other to this style of ornamentation. Frogs are sold in sets to accompany the braiding.
3. Comb., as frog-belt, -button.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, II. iv. (1840), II. 68. He drew a hatchet out of a frog-belt.
1827. Hone, Every-day Bk., II. 190. A portrait of her husband over the mantlepiece, in a coat with frog-buttons, and a delicate frilled hand lightly inserted in the waistcoat.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Frog-belt, a baldrick.
