n. [ Probably fr. AS. swe&unr_;ian to bind. ]
Swad, in the north, is a peascod shell -- thence used for an empty, shallow-headed fellow. Blount. [ 1913 Webster ]
There was one busy fellow was their leader,
A blunt, squat swad, but lower than yourself. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
They swaddled me up in my nightgown with long pieces of linen. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ AS. swe&unr_;il, swe&unr_;el, fr. swe&unr_;ain to bind. See Swathe. ] Anything used to swaddle with, as a cloth or band; a swaddling band. [ 1913 Webster ]
They put me in bed in all my swaddles. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Zool.) The shoveler. [ Local, U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A term of contempt for an Irish Methodist. Shipley. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. & n. from Swaddle, v. [ 1913 Webster ]
Swaddling band,
Swaddling cloth,
Swaddling clout
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke ii. 12. [ 1913 Webster ]