1697. Vanbrugh, The Relapse, i. 2. Ah, you young, hot, lusty thief,
let me muzzle you. (Kisses him).
Muzzled bull-dog, subs. phr. (nautical).—See quot.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word Book. Bull-dog or muzzled bull-dog, the
great gun which stands housed in the officer’s ward-room cabin.
General term for main-deck guns.
Muzzler, subs. (pugilists’).—1. See quot. 1811.
1811. Lex. Bal., s.v. Muzzler.... The milling cove tipped the cull
a muzzler; the boxer gave the fellow a blow on the mouth.
1818. Egan, Boxiana, ii. 459. He gave Dick a precious muzzler.
1821. Egan, Real Life, i. 350. He saluted poor Pat with a muzzler.