pricklouse

English

From prick +‎ louse.

pricklouse (plural pricklice)

(derogatory, archaic) A tailor.
- 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:
  When she was under Water, and could call him Pricklouse no longer with her Lips, she held up her Hands over her Head
(derogatory, archaic) A lousy person.
- 1603, Michel de Montaigne, translated by John Florio, The Essayes […], London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
  , II.32:
  that woman […] by no threats or stripes would leave to call her husband pricke-lowse [translating pouilleux], and being cast into a pond and duckt under water, lifted up her hands, and joyning her two thumbs-nailes in act to kill lice above her head, seemed to call him lousie still […].