1851–61. H. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, 1, p. 457. The only
thing that frightens me when I’m in prison is sleeping in a cell by
myself—you do in the Old Horse and the Steel.
3. (American).—A man: generally in affection. Also Old Hoss, or
Hoss-fly.
1838. Haliburton (‘Sam Slick’), The Clockmaker, 3 S., ch. xviii. He
is all sorts of a hoss, and the best live one that ever cut dirt
this side of the big pond, or t’other side either.
1847. Robb, Squatter Life, p. 74. What in the yearth did you do
with old Hoss on the road?—He ain’t gin out, has he? Ibid., p. 70.
None of your stuck-up imported chaps from the dandy states, but a
real genuine westerner—in short, a hoss!
1848. Ruxton, Life in the Far West, p. 5. Hyar’s a hoss as’ll make
fire come.
1857. Gladstone, Englishman in Kansas, p. 43. Here, boys, drink.
Liquors, captain, for the crowd. Step up this way, old hoss, and
liquor.
Verb (venery).—1. To possess a woman. For synonyms, see Ride.
1614. Jonson, Bartholomew Fair, iv., 3. Say’st thou so, filly? Thou
shalt have a leap presently, I’ll horse thee myself, else.