subs. (old).—The head. [Properly an apple.] For synonyms, see CRUMPET.

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  1534.  UDALL, Roister Doister, III., v., p. 58 (ARBER). I knocke youre COSTARDE if ye offer to strike me.

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  1605.  SHAKESPEARE, King Lear, iv. 6. Edg. … Nay, come not near th’ old man; keep out, che vor ye, or ise try whether your COSTARD or my bat be the harder.

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  1787.  GROSE, A Provincial Glossary, etc. COSTARD, the head; a kind of opprobrious word, used by way of contempt, probably alluding to a costard apple.

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  1817.  SCOTT, Rob Roy, ch. xii. ‘It’s hard I should get raps over the COSTARD.’

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