swad

1) In New England, a lump, mass, or hunch; also, a crowd.--Webster. This is a vulgar word. In the North of England it is the common name for the pod or shell of peas. May not our word be derived from this? A pod is a quantity, a bunch of peas. A quantity or large pile of potatoes, would be called 'a swad of potatoes'--so, 'a swad of people.' (See dreadful.)

There was a swad of fine folks, and the house was well nigh upon chuck full.--Maj. Downing's Letters, p. 35.

How is a colonist able to pay for this almighty swad of everlasting plunder, seein' he has no gold or silver.--Sam Slick, 3d Ser. ch. 6.

2) A term used in speaking of booty lately obtained. I have never seen the word used except by Mr. Greeley, who has good authority for its use in Grose's Slang Dictionary.

Between Gen. Storms and the late Comptroller, there have been at least 20,000 lost to the State; and though Mr. Flagg seems to have been exceedingly remiss and blameworthy in the premises, it will not be easy to make the people of New York believe that any of the swag has found its way into his pocket.--N. Y. Tribune, April 21, 1848.