Obs. Also bell-, belly-. [Perhaps a contr. of belly-swagger (as in Ash) ‘one who swags or sways his belly.’] A swaggering gallant or bully; a whoremonger, pimp.
1592. Greene, Def. Coney-catch. (1859), 47. [Nothing] can draw them from the love of the Poligamoi or bel-swaggers of the country.
1680. Dryden, Kind Keeper, IV. i. Wks. IV. 337. Fifty Guineas! Dost thou think I’ll sell my self?… thou impudent Belswagger.
1721. Bailey, Bellswagger, a swaggering Fellow, a hectoring Blade, a Bully.
1775. Ash, Belly-swagger, a bully, a hectoring fellow. Belswagger, a whoremaster.
