subs. (old: now recognised).—See quot. 1785.
1772. G. A. STEVENS, Songs, Comic and Satyrical, ‘The Storm.’
| MESSMATES, hear a brother sailor | |
| Sing the dangers of the sea. |
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. MESS-MATE, one who eats at the same mess, companion, or camerade.
