E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Tomboy.
A romping girl, formerly used for a harlot. (Saxon, tumbere, a dancer or romper; Danish, tumle, “to tumble about;” French, tomber; Spanish, tumbar; our tumble.) The word may either be tumbe-boy (one who romps like a boy), or a tumber (one who romps), the word boy being a corruption.
1
“A lady
So fair … to be partner’a
With tomboys.”
Shakespeare Cymbeline, i. 6
Halliwell gives the following quotation:—
2
“Herodias doughter that was a tumb-estre and tumblede before [the king] and other grete lordes of the conré, he granted to geve hure whatevere she would bydde.”
