subs. (old cant).—1. ‘A bailiff, or his Follower, a Sergeant, or his Yeoman’ (B. E. and GROSE). [Properly a ‘bound’ dog, because ferocious; hence a mastiff or bloodhound.] TO SPEAK LIKE A BANDOG (or BANDOG and BEDLAM) = to rave; to bluster.
1600. DEKKER, The Gentle Craft [Works (1873), I. 19]. O master, is it you that SPEAK BANDOG AND BEDLAM this morning?
1610. Chester’s Triumph, 12. Thou enuious BANDOGGE, SPEAKE and doe thy worst.
1839. W. H. AINSWORTH, Jack Sheppard [1889], 12. ‘But where are the lurchers?’ ‘Who?’ asked Wood. ‘The traps!’ responded a bystander. ‘The shoulder-clappers!’ added a lady…. ‘The BANDOGS!’ thundered a tall man.
2. (old).—A bandbox (GROSE).
