[f. KEEL sb.2 + BULLY sb.1 2.] One of the crew of a keel; a Tyneside lighterman.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Keel-bullies, Lightermen that carry Coals to and from the Ships, so called in Derision.
1789. Brand, Hist. Newcastle, II. 261, note.
1860. [see BULLY sb.1 2].
1863. in Robson, Bards of Tyne, 73. The keelbullies a’, Byeth greet an’ sma’.
