subs. (common).—1. A cudgel: also OAKEN (or BLACKTHORN) TOWEL; as verb (TO GIVE A TOWELLING or TO RUB DOWN WITH A TOWEL) = to reprimand, scold, and (spec.) thrash (GROSE).
1771. SMOLLETT, The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, i. 83. Prankly, shaking his cane, bid him hold his tongue, otherwise he would dust his cassock for him. ‘I have no pretensions to such a valet,’ said Tom; ‘but if you should do me that office, and overheat yourself, I have here a good OAKEN TOWEL at your service.’
1851–61. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, I. 469. I got a TOWELLING, but it did not do me much good.
2. (old).—The anus; fundament: see BUM: also TEWEL.
1383. CHAUCER, The Canterbury Tales, 7730, ‘The Sompnoures Tale.’
| And whan this sike man felte this frere | |
| About his TOWEL gropen ther and here, | |
| Amid his hond he let the frere a fart. |
A LEAD (or LEADEN) TOWEL, subs. phr. (common).—A bullet.
1812. H. and J. SMITH, Rejected Addresses, 182.
| Make Nunky surrender his dibs, | |
| Rub his pate with a pair of LEAD TOWELS. |
