Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a man whose wife accompanies him to the tavern [note: a specific ‘tavern term’ drawn f. The English Liberal Science, or a new-found Art and Order of Drinking].

1650		Eighth Liberal Science n.p.: He whose wife goeth with him to the Tavern or Alehouse, is a Free-holder.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Freeholder he whose Wife goes with him to the Ale-house.
1700		‘The Art of Drinking’ in Wit’s Cabinet 139: He whose Wife goes with him to the Ale-house, is a Freeholder.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

2. a prostitute’s companion.

1949

Monteleone Criminal Sl. (rev. edn).