knobber

knob +‎ -er

• Rhymes: -ɒbə(ɹ)

knobber (plural knobbers)

1. (hunting, animal husbandry) The hart in its second year; a young deer.

   Synonym: knobbler

   • 1906, Country life‎, volume 20, page 619:

     As soon as the knobber started galloping, all the other stags, who. till now, had taken but a languid interest, if any, in his movements, jumped on to their feet.

   • 1925, John Buchan, John Macnab, page 100:

     But even she was forced to confess that nothing was astir in the mossy wilderness. She climbed to the top of Craig Dhu and had a long spy, but, except for more hinds and one small knobber, living thing there was none.

   • 1968, Lea MacNally, Highland year:

     While I watched the young hind approached the knobber and, after standing by him for a moment, began to lick him

   • 1978 November 16, New Scientist, volume 80, number 1129, page 540:

     A mature stag chases a young male (a knobber) from the harem

2. (UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, slang, derogatory) A knobhead; a stupid or obnoxious person.
   • 2015, Ben Davis, The Private Blog of Joe Cowley: Return of the Geek, page 29:

     Harry chuckled. 'What is it, old son? Are you worried Natalie will go for a rummage in your undercarriage and come away empty-handed?'
     Ad spat Tango across the table, missing me by inches.
     'No, you knobber,' I said. “I'm meeting her parents for the first time tomorrow.'