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Origin and history of swager

swager(n.)

"one who shapes by means of a swage," 1881, agent noun from swage (v.). In Middle English it was the name of a tool used to make decorative grooves or borders in metalwork (early 15c.).

also from 1881

Entries linking to swager

swage(v.)

"shape or bend by use of a tool," 1831, from swage (n.), also swedge, "tool or die for bending cold metal" (1812), from French suage, according to Century Dictionary from suer "to sweat."

Uncertain connection to swage "ornamental molding, decorative strip or border" on a bowl, basin, etc." (late 14c.), from Old French souage (Modern French suage), which, according to Klein, is from soue "rope," from Vulgar Latin *soca, probably of Gaulish origin (compare Breton sug "cord").

Swage-block is attested by 1843.

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    Trends of swager

    adapted from books.google.com/ngrams/ with a 7-year moving average; ngrams are probably unreliable.

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