Green’s Dictionary of Slang

to infect with venereal disease.

1632		R. Brome Covent-Garden Weeded II ii: He promis’d her marriage, clap’t her, you may guess where, and so like the slippery Trojan left her.
1650		H. Nevile Newes from the New-Exchange 2: This is a Lady indeed, that seaven years since took sayle with Presbytery, being chargd in the Fore-deck by Master Hollis, in the Poop by Master Pim, whilst she clapt my Lord of Holland under hatches.
1663		John Adams his perpetual almanack 7: This was Nessus that clapt Dejanira who gave Hercules the Pox.
1668		‘The Prentices’ Answer to the Whores’ Petition’ in Ebsworth Bagford Ballads (1878) II 510: ’Twas some you clapt before, that now clapt you.
1679		‘Sale of Esau’s Birthright’ in Ebsworth Bagford Ballads (1878) II 767: So have I known a Miss o’ th’ Town, / Adore the Fopp that Clapt her.
1683		R. Dixon Canidia ii 49: What think ye of those dainty Dames, / That patch and paint, to kindle Flames? / By open Harlotry t’entice ye, / Clap ye, Pox ye, and Spice ye.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: The Mort has tipt the Bube upon the Cully, c. the Wench has Clapt the Fellow.
1709		N. Ward Compleat and Humorous Account of Remarkable Clubs (1756) 272: Some mad Rake or Bully, whom Madam had severely clap’d the last Time he lay with her.
1715		Proceedings Old Bailey 27 April 5/1: Upon search he found she was clapt [...] There were other Witnesses who said she was a Woman of a scandalous Life, and one swore he heard her Husband tax her with clapping of him.
1731		Proceedings at Sessions (City of London) Dec. 24/1: I had heard he was clap’d.
1763		J. Wilkes ‘Universal Prayer’ Essay on Woman 23: If I am clapt, may this Right-hand / Its happy Cunning know.
1779		Nocturnal Revels 2 20: [brothel advert] She must get up small things, even large ones occasionally, understand clear-starching without clapping , and know [how] to make standing crust.
1790		‘Bumper Allnight. Esquire’ Honest Fellow 76: She clapt me. / May she for ever go in rags, / And never know one moment’s glee.
1843		Satirist & Sporting Chron. (Sydney) 1 Apr. 3/4: Haley, the publican, clap’d Garry Owen most awfully at the meeting; surely the boy must be mistaken, he could not clap Mr., but might — —.
1888–94		‘Walter’ My Secret Life (1966) IV 700: Then came his evil habits — estrangement, neglect, mistresses and casuals — and he had clapped her.
1943–51		in G. Legman Limerick (1953) 206: In a casual way, / She clapped up the whole British fleet.