costard

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: cos=tard

CIDE DICTIONARY

costard, n. [Prob. fr. OF. coste rib, side, F. côte, and meaning orig., a ribbed apple, from the ribs or angles on its sides. See Coast.].

•  An apple, large and round like the head.  [1913 Webster]

  "Some [apples] consist more of air than water . . . ; others more of water than wind, as your costards and pomewaters."  [1913 Webster]
•  The head; -- used contemptuously.  [1913 Webster]

  "Try whether your costard or my bat be the harder."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

costard, n. Brit.
1 a large ribbed variety of apple.
2 archaic joc. the head.

Etymology

ME f. AF f. coste rib f. L costa