gosterv.

1673 J. Ray S. & E. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 67 Goyster, to be frolick and ramp, to laugh aloud, Suss.

1691 J. Ray N. Country Words in Coll. Eng. Words (ed. 2) 30 Gauster, as Goyster.

1734 Lady B. Germain in 9th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1904) I. App. iii. 157 Upon which I could not hold, but fell a laughing as loud as Horace could ‘goster’ himself.

1825 T. C. Croker Fairy Legends & Trad. S. Ireland I. 169 Some people used to wink and look knowing when Felix was gostering.

1839 W. Carleton Fardorougha (ed. 2) 70 We're idlin' an' gostherin away our time like I dunna what.

1847–78 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words Gauster, to laugh loudly; to be noisy; to swagger.

1879 E. Waugh Chimney Corner 89 He began o' gosterin' an' talkin' about th' horses—he'd ha' this done, an' he'd ha' that done, or else [etc.].

1703 R. Thoresby Let. 27 Apr. in J. Ray Corr. (1848) 422 Gauster, a hearty loud laughter.

1736 J. Lewis Hist. Isle Tenet (ed. 2) 37 Goyster, to laugh aloud; ‘a goystering Wench’, a Boy-maid, or a Lad-lass.

1806–29 T. Moore Ballads (Galignani 1829) 353 Poh, Dermot go along with your goster.

1836 T. Power Impressions of Amer. I. 376 Not another word could we coax out of him: he was, however, quite willing and able to make it up in good Irish, and much did I regret not being able to have a ‘goster’ with him.

1892 Athenæum 16 Apr. 496/3 The handsome, selfish Murdough so full of ‘gosther’ and brag.

1914 J. Joyce Dubliners 155 He was leaning on the counter..having a deep goster with Alderman Cowley.

1941 L. A. G. Strong Bay 181 Uncle John did not write letters. He would explain that a good gosther and a drink were better than a cold bit of paper.

1763 ‘T. Bobbin’ Toy-shop (new ed.) 48 I con mex'n, keem, on fettle Tits, os weell os onny one on um aw, tho' theaw mey think it's gawstring.

1824 W. Carr Horæ Momenta Cravenæ Gaustering, imperious, boasting.

1892 E. Lawless Grania II. ii. 91 A gosthering, spending, having brood they are and always have been.