1719. D’Urfey, Pills, II., 54. Another makes Racing a Trade.... And
many a Crimp Match has made, By bubbing another Man’s Groom.
Bubber, subs. (old).—1. A hard drinker; a confirmed tippler. [From bub
(q.v.) = drink + er.] A synonymous French term is un bibassier, but for
analogous terms generally, see Elbow crooker.
1653. Middleton, Sp. Gipsy, ii., 1. Though I am no mark in respect
of a huge butt, yet I can tell you great bubbers have shot at me.
[There is a play in the word ‘butt.’]
1674. R. Head, Canting Acad., 191. A bubber ... goes to the
Alehouse, and steals there the Plate.
1785. Grose, Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Bubber, ... a great
drinker. A thief that steals plate from publick houses.