or arm-stabber, subs. phr. (old).—A gallant who bled his arm to toast his mistress: hence TO DAGGER (or STAB) ARMS = to toast a ‘lady-love.’
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie, s.v. Taille-bras: m. A hackster, ARME-SLASHER, cutter, swaggerer, swash-buckler.
d. 1633. MARSTON, Works [NARES]. Have I not STABB’D ARMS, and done all the offices of protested gallantry for your sake?
