Etymology From Middle English luggen, possibly from a Scandinavian/North Germanic source, (compare Swedish lugga, Norwegian lugge); also in English dialectal as lig (“to lug”). Noun is via Scots lugge, probably from Old Norse (compare Norwegian and Swedish lugg). Probably related to slug (“lazy, slow-moving”), which may be from similar source(s).
whereof the one is quick of cast, trick, and trim both for pleasure and profit: the other is a lug1545, Roger Ascham, Toxophilus, the Schole of Shootinge […], London: […] Edouardi Whytchurch, →OCLC:
He took another long lug on his cigarette before continuing quietly, 'I've seen too much and it was seriously screwing me up. […]2013, Paul Burke, The Man Who Fell In Love With His Wife:
Etymology From Middle English luggen, possibly from a Scandinavian/North Germanic source, (compare Swedish lugga, Norwegian lugge); also in English dialectal as lig (“to lug”). Noun is via Scots lugge, probably from Old Norse (compare Norwegian and Swedish lugg). Probably related to slug (“lazy, slow-moving”), which may be from similar source(s).
1
Figuratively, Sometimes To haul or drag along (especially something heavy); to carry; to pull.
Why do you always lug around so many books?
They must divide the image among them, and so lug off every one his share.c. 1700, Jeremy Collier, A Thought:
2 more examples
As a rule, you see, I'm not lugged into Family Rows. On the occasions when Aunt is calling to Aunt like mastodons bellowing across primeval swamps and Uncle James's letter about Cousin Mabel's peculiar behaviour is being shot round the family circle... the clan has a tendency to ignore me.1923, P. G. Wodehouse, The Inimitable Jeeves:
Luggage areas need to be within sight, rather than at the end of carriages, despite the inconvenience of lugging cases further into a carriage.2021 July 14, Anthony Lambert, “Grand designs on superior interiors”, in RAIL, number 935, page 48:
2
To run at too slow a speed.
When driving up a hill, choose a lower gear so you don't lug the engine.
3
Nautical, Transport To carry an excessive amount of sail for the conditions prevailing.
eight lugs of grownd; / Into the which returning backe, he fell1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto X”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 11: