Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US) a person.

1821		Egan Life in London (1869) 311: The glass was pushed about so quickly, that the ‘First of the Month’ was soon forgotten, and we kept it up till very long after the regulars had been tucked up in their dabs, and only the Roosters and the ‘Peep-o’-Day-Boys’ were out on the prowl for a spree.
1834		Eve. Star (N.Y.) 3 June 2/5: Soloman Armstrong [...] offered to share [the found money] with his companion, who being an old state prison rooster, very wisely [...] refused to accept.
1840		T. Haliburton Clockmaker III 35: Well, my old rooster, said she, the next time you see me, I hope you will know me.
1850		‘Ned Buntline’ G’hals of N.Y. 133: Now, look here, ole rooster.
1869		C.G. Leland ‘Breitmann in Kansas’ in Hans Breitmann’s Party 20: Py und py one of de ladies say: ‘Ish anypodies here ash know de crate pallad of Hans Breitmann’s Barty?’ Den Hans say: ‘Ecce Gallus! I am dat rooster!’.
1873		J. O’Connor Wanderings of a Vagabond 287: ‘I’m afraid of that McGovern gang, and if you see any of them prowling about the place, keep your eyes open.’ ‘I knows them roosters.’.
1885		North Amer. Rev. Nov. 434: The toughest set of roosters that ever shook the dust of any town left Reno yesterday for the new mining district of Cornucopia.
1891		A. Day Mysterious Beggar 214: ‘The clergymen; the ministers?’ ‘Them’s the roosters.’.
1902		Wichita Dly Eagle 16 Feb. 9/2: He was succeeded by George G. Symes, a rooster fully as red and equally noisy.
1908		E.G. Murphy ‘Whitewash’ in Jarrahland Jingles 31: They ‘guessed I looked a rooster gay.’.
1910		O. Johnson Varmint 272: That’s the last time you get me, old rooster.
1962		J. McNeill How Does Your Garden Grow? (1974) 129: ‘[N]o point in bunging on a drama in front of all those parole roosters there’.
1922		S. Lewis Babbitt (1974) 138: Say, W.A., old rooster.
1922		Adair Co. News 3 Jan. 7/2: I just knew that slick-tongued rooster was tryin’ to work some skin game!
1937		J. Tully Bruiser 88: We gotta keep these two roosters apart.
1942		R. Chandler High Window 162: I had a vision of a pathetic old rooster in long hair, black felt hat and black bow tie, rocking on a rickety porch [...] with the smell of ham hocks and cabbage coming out of the door at his elbow.
1953		T. Runyon In For Life 123: He was a tough old rooster who probably worried little about our opinion of him.
1961		B. Crump Hang On a Minute, Mate (1963) 164: Then I walked up to one of the most dangerous-looking roosters I’ve ever seen in my life.
1974		D. Ireland Burn 100: Smart roosters pestering you with questions.
1988		McGill Dict. of Kiwi Sl. 93/2: rooster a person, a genial usage often qualified by ‘old’.
1989		R.G. Barrett Boys from Binjiwunyawunya 17: I know a sneak way of getting rid of this Kilby rooster.
1992		R.G. Barrett White Shoes 153: Have you figured out who these roosters are.
2000		R.G. Barrett Leaving Bondi (2013) [ebook] ‘So where do I find this Brett Ritosa rooster?’.
2003		McGill Reed Dict. of N.Z. Sl. [as cit. 1988].
2012		(con. 1980s) I. Welsh Skagboys 193: Begbie comes roond the gaff, n yuv nivir seen a rooster in such a foul mood.
2016		N. Cummins Adventures of the Honey Badger [ebook] Helge invited us to check out a reindeer farm and meet some of the local Sami roosters.

2. in sexual senses.

3. (US) a chair, a seat [roost v. (2)].

1946

Mezzrow & Wolfe Really the Blues 131: ‘Sorry,’ the bossman said, not even bothering to get up off his rooster.

4. (UK Und.) a lookout [ext. use of roost v. (2)].

1989

(con. 1950s–60s) in G. Tremlett Little Legs 196: rooster someone who keeps a look-out while other criminals are committing a burglary or similar offence.

5. (drugs) crack cocaine [play on cluck n.⁴ ].

2001

ONDCP Street Terms 18: Rooster — Crack Cocaine.