To hug brown bess; to carry a firelock, or serve as a private soldier. He hugs it as the Devil hugs a witch: said of one who holds any thing as if he was afraid of losing it.
·vi To crowd together; to <<Cuddle>>. II. Hug ·vt To keep close to; as, to hug the land; to hug the...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
to carry. ...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
A particular lock in wrestling, peculiar to the people of that county. ...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
♦ To hug the land, to sail as near it as possible, the land however being to windward. ♦ To hug th...
The Sailor's Word-Book