spuddling

How often did this line of Pope occur to me when I opened the little _spuddling_ 'letters' from Botley!

Advice to Young Men And (Incidentally) to Young Women in the Middle and Higher Ranks of Life. In a Series of Letters, Addressed to a Youth, a Bachelor, a Lover, a Husband, a Father, a Citizen, or a Subject. William Cobbett 1799

“You’ve dallied long enough here in town, and it’s time you returned home to find a suitable husband instead of trifling with these spuddling snoutfairs here in town.”

Chasing a Rogue Victoria Malvey 2002