earlier also princocks < ? preen + cox-, as in coxcomb
princox in American English
(ˈprɪnkɑks, ˈprɪŋ-)
noun
archaic
a self-confident young fellow; coxcomb
Also: princock (ˈprɪnkɑk, ˈprɪŋ-)
Word origin
[1530–40; orig. uncert.]This word is first recorded in the period 1530–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: illegitimate, lotus, starter, toilet, torture