Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a heavy drinker.

1836

Age (London) 5 June 178: ‘Good wine needs no bush,’ said Finsbury Tom to the Boston Bibo. ‘No!’ answered swipey, ‘but it does need a bird in the bush’.

2. a brewery drayman.

1861

Punch 30 Mar. [cartoon of youth addressing a drayman] Now then, Swipey! Are you going to stop there till you get fine, afore you draw yourself off?