[f. LAG v.2 + -ER1.]
1. One who lags or hangs back; a lingerer, loiterer.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xvii. 18. Theyr hole host … are all a horsebacke … without it be the traundals and laggers of the oost, who folow after a foote.
1682. Dryden, Duke of Guise, IV. ii. The guard is mine, to … lash the laggers from the sight of day.
1789. Mrs. Piozzi, Journ. France, I. 286. The mob … lash the laggers along with great indignation.
1844. Stanley, Arnold, I. iv. 235. Himself always keeping with the laggers, that none might strain their strength by trying to be in front with him.
1852. R. S. Surtees, Sponge’s Sp. Tour, li. 291. The laggers were stealing quietly up the lanes and by-roads.
1878. Fr. A. Kemble, Record Girlhood, II. iv. 131. The laggers who would fain have fallen a few paces out of the sound of the dreary parrotry of her inventory.
2. slang. A sailor. [? A distinct word: cf. LAGE.]
1812. J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., Lagger, a sailor.
