bawdry

[ baw-dree ]

/ ˈbɔ dri /

Archaic. lewdness; obscenity; bawdiness.

Obsolete.

Origin of bawdry

First recorded in 1350–1400, bawdry is from the Middle English word bawdery. See bawd, -ery

baveux, bavin, bawbee, bawcock, bawd, bawdry, bawdy, bawdyhouse, bawl, bawl out, bawn

Thus, Brooks lumps 1601 with Mark Twain's "bawdry," and interprets it simply as another indication of frustration.

1601 |Mark Twain
This will prove rare sport, to see how the poet's genius will grapple with this bawdry!

A Select Collection of Old English Plays |Robert Dodsley
He was primed with the letter-accounts; he made her dot her amorous I's and cross her bawdry T's.

Secret Memoirs: The Story of Louise, Crown Princess |Henry W. Fischer
It is also noteworthy that, for the period, the bawdry is "cut" to the lowest limit.

Early English Dramatists--Recently Recovered "Lost" Tudor Plays with some others |Various

He omitted a good deal of bawdry, especially in Act II, scene ii.

The City Bride (1696) |Joseph Harris

bawdry

/ (ˈbɔːdrɪ) /

archaic obscene talk or language