or kill-cow, subs. (old).—A butcher: also a murderous ruffian. Also KILL-BUCK.

1

  [?]  Old Ballad [quoted by NARES].

        Of all occupations that now adays are used
I would not be a butcher, for that’s to be refused;
For whatever is gotten, or whatever is gained,
He shall be call’d KILL-COW, and so shall be named.

2

  1628.  J. CLAVELL, A Recantation of an Ill-led Life, etc., p. 35.

        But in the night, but then take heed of those
Base Padding Rascalls, for their KILL-CALFE law.

3

  1630.  TAYLOR (‘The Water Poet’), Jack a Lent. They make private shambles with KIL-CALF cruelty, and sheepslaughtering murder, to the abuse of Lent, the deceiving of the informers, and the great grief of every zealous fishmonger.

4

  c. 1636.  The London Chanticleers, Sc. iv. I know there’s never a KILL-COW i’ th’ city becomes a woollen apron better than I do.

5