subs. (venery).—1. The penis: see PRICK.
1598. SHAKESPEARE, 2 Henry IV., ii. 4. Fal. Here Pistol … do you discharge upon mine hostess. Pistol. I will discharge upon her, Sir John, with two bullets. Fal. She is PISTOL-PROOF, sir…. Pist. Then to you Mistress Dorothy…. Pol. Charge me!… you lack-linen mate! Away … I am meat for your master.
1623. WEBSTER, The Duchess of Malfi, ii. 2. Serv. There was taken even now a Switzer in the duchess’ bed-chamber … with a PISTOL in his great cod-piece.
2. (old).—A swaggering bully: see FURIOSO.
1596. SHAKESPEARE, Merry Wives of Windsor. Dramatis Personæ. Bardolph, PISTOL, Nym, sharpers attending on Falstaff. Ibid. (1598), 2 Henry IV., ii. 4. First D. Sir, Ancient PISTOL’S below. Dol. Hang him, swaggering rascal!… it is the foul-mouthed’st rogue in England.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes, s.v. Pistolfo … a roguing begger, a cantler, an upright man that liveth by cosenage.
1748. SMOLLETT, Roderick Random, xlvi. He snatched his hat and hanger, and assuming the looks, swagger, and phrase of PISTOL, burst out, &c.
Also see POCKET-PISTOL.
