subs. (old).—A whining beggar.

1

  1567.  HARMAN, A Caveat or Warening for Common Cursetors (1814), p. 26. These Palliards be called also CLAPPER DOGENS, these go with patched clokes, and haue their morts with them which they cal wiues.

2

  1625.  JONSON, The Staple of News, ii. 1.

        Here he is, and with him—what? a CLAPPER-DUDGEON!
That’s a good sign, to have the beggar follow him
So near.

3

  1705–7.  WARD, Hudibras Redivivus, vol. I., pt. V., p. 10.

        Says he, there is an old curmudgeon,
A hum-drum, preaching, CLAPPERDUDGEON.

4

  1863.  G. A. SALA, The Strange Adventures of Captain Dangerous, II., vii., 225. Rogues, Thieves … and CLAPPER-DUDGEONS … infested the outskirts of the Old Palace.  [M.]

5