[f. SWAG v. + -ING2.]
1. Swaying heavily to and fro; pendulous with weight; hanging loosely.
1593. Churchyard, Challenge, 180. With bellies big, and swagging dugges.
1600. Surflet, Countrie Farme, II. liv. 369. The brests that are too great & swagging.
a. 1693. Urquhart’s Rabelais, III. xxviii. 230. Swagging cod [orig. couillon avallé].
a. 1722. Lisle, Husb. (1757), 310. His [sc. a ram’s] figure should be stately and tall, his belly big, swagging, and woolly.
1727. Gay, Fables, I. xxxvii. Beneath her swagging pannier’s load.
a. 1793. G. White, Selborne, etc. (1853), 396. Vast swagging rock-like clouds.
1852. D. Jerrold, Wks. (1864), II. 497. A purple bloated face and swagging paunch.
b. Of a vehicle: Swaying, lurching, lumbering.
1754. H. Walpole, Lett. to J. Chute, 3 May. You will dine at Farley in a swagging coach with fat mares of your own.
1827. Hone, Every-day Bk., II. 1154. The swagging cart … Reels careless on.
† 2. ? Big, whopping.’ Obs.
1731. Medley, Kolben’s Cape Gd. Hope, I. 203. When the Hottentots louse themselves, they generally pick up the large swagging lice,… and devour them.
