Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (also row-dow-dow) disturbance, noise.

1789

J. O’Keeffe Highland Reel 65: I’m a little merry he, for your row dow dow.

2. a socially unacceptable person, who is vulgar, noisy or reprobate.

1885		Bulletin (Sydney) 4 Jul. 14/2: And as for bazaars and tea-fights, if we leave out Queenbeyan and Tamworth, there isn’t a place in the country that can hold a wet tandsticker to it. O yes; the other cities for industry and population, but for downright accumulation of wealth and ‘go,’ let our brethren of the county Down rowdy-dow make for the city of Penrith.
1902		Ade Forty Modern Fables 66: His Associates are a fine Bunch of Rowdy-Dows, who lean over when they Walk, and wear Lilac Gloves in the Summer Time.

3. (US) a member of the social elite.

1914

Ade ‘The New Fable of the Lonesome Camp’ in Ade’s Fables 266: She said she was going to can the awful Birthplace and spend the remainder of her Natural among the real Rowdy-Dows.