Green’s Dictionary of Slang

pertaining to sex with a violent, aggressive partner.

1929		C. McKay Banjo 148: ‘What’s his gag, pardner?’ asked Banjo. ‘He’s a regular guy. I just got a hundred francs outa him.’ ‘How come? Why didn’t you put me next, too? Is he rough-trade business?’.
1964		H. Selby Jr Last Exit to Brooklyn 43: So her subjects petitioned the Queen to summon forth her dashing husband and his rough trade friends.
1978		A. Maupin Tales of the City (1984) 108: This scene gets more rough-trade by the minute.
1980		(con. 1970) W. Sherman Times Square 31: ‘I’m rough trade tonight,’ he lisped [...] ‘I love your leathers.’.
2021		J. Ellroy Widespread Panic 191: Ruff trade tricksters and buff B-boys.
2023		(con. 1962) J. Ellroy Enchanters 9: She says rough-trade boys abducted her [...] She glommed brief headlines and saw it go pffft.