Badger

n. A licensed porter or carrier entitled to wear a badge. Simmonds.

n. [O. Eng. bageard, corrupted from the L. Lat. bladarius, bladerius, from bladum, bladus, blada, corn, of Celtic origin; the badger was called bladarius, because he carried away his store of corn or grain from the cornfields of the peasants. Cf. Fr. blaireau, blereau, from bladarellus, dim. of bladarius.]

1Sense 1. A plantigrade quadruped related to the bear, of the genus Meles. It is a clumsy animal, with short, thick legs, and long claws on the fore feet. One species (M. vulgaris) inhabits the north of Europe and Asia, is indolent and sleepy, feeds by night, mostly on vegetables, and is generally very fat. Another species (M. Labradorica) inhabits North America, and is also called the ground-hog.

2Sense 2. A brush made of badger's-hair, used by artists. Fairholt.

3Sense 3. (Eng. Law.) A person who is licensed to buy corn in one place and sell it in another, without incurring the penalties of engrossing;—so called because, by engrossing the corn, he withdraws it from public use, as the badger steals the corn or grain from the peasants. Tomlins.

[imp. & p. p. BADGERED; p. pr. & vb. n. BADGERING.] To follow up or pursue with great eagerness, as the badger is hunted; to pester or worry.