subs. (nautical).—See quots. In America a BAYMAN or NURSE (q.v.). See quots.
1671. C. SHADWELL, The Fair Quaker of Deal, i. Our rogue of a LOBLOLLY doctor, being not satisfied with his two-pences, must have a note for ten months pay for every cure.
1748. SMOLLETT, Roderick Random, xxvii. The rude insults of the sailors and petty officers, among whom I was known by the name of LOBLOLLY BOY.
1776. The Patent, a Poem [Note]. LOB-LOLLY-BOY is a person who on board of a man-of-war attends the surgeon and his mates, and one who knows just as much of the business of a seaman as the author of this poem.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. On board of the ships of war, water-gruel is called LOBLOLLY, and the surgeon’s servant or mate, the LOBLOLLY BOY.
1846. ROBERT BELL, ed. Ballads and Songs of the Peasantry of England, p. 182, note. Jack Rider, of Linton, … was ‘LOBLOLLEY BOY’ board the ‘Victory.’
1883. W. C. RUSSELL, Sailors’ Language, s.v.
1885. Punch, 11 July, p. 18. Lor’ bless yer, a LOBLOLLY BOY can tell old hands how not to steer.
