subs. (common).—In old cant a quick-worker; and in modern English, a duellist or bully. Also FIRE-EATING.
1841. W. SAVAGE, A Dictionary of the Art of Printing, s.v. A quick compositor.
1854. WHYTE-MELVILLE, General Bounce, ch. xii. Sir Ascot was none of your sighing, despairing, FIRE-EATING adorers.
1868. OUIDA, Under Two Flags, ch. xv. A soldier, who … was one of the most brilliant FIRE-EATERS of his regiment.
