Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a tough old hen, a boiling chicken.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1725		New Canting Dict.

2. an ill-tempered or malicious old woman.

1859, 1860		Hotten Dict. of Modern Sl. etc.
1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict.