Etymology Origin uncertain; apparently connected with the Middle English trollen (“to go about, stroll, roll from side to side”). Ostensibly influenced, if not derived, in some way by a word from Old Norse trǫll (“troll, witch, mage, monster, etc.”).
Many an unfortunate Tuppenny trollop has gone from the old hag's den to the special ward at Little Bay, but not before the fell disease of the harlotic slums has been spread broadcast among the reckless patrons.1903 February 8, The Truth, Sydney, page 3, column 4:
However, terrible as it may seem to the tall maiden sisters of J.P.'s in Queen Anne houses with walled vegetable gardens, this courtesan, strumpet, harlot, whore, punk, fille de joie, street-walker, this trollop, this trull, this baggage, this hussy, this drab, skit, rig, quean, mopsy, demirep, demimondaine, this wanton, this fornicatress, this doxy, this concubine, this frail sister, this poor Queenie--did actually solicit me, did actually say 'coming home to-night, dearie' and my soul was not blasted enough to call a policeman.1936, Anthony Bertram, Like the Phoenix:
1 more example
Aarfy's buxom trollop had vanished with her smutty cameo ring, and Nurse Duckett was ashamed of him because he had refused to fly more combat missions and would cause a scandal.1961 November 10, Joseph Heller, “The Eternal City”, in Catch-22 […], New York, N.Y.: Simon and Schuster, →OCLC, page 433:
Etymology Origin uncertain; apparently connected with the Middle English trollen (“to go about, stroll, roll from side to side”). Ostensibly influenced, if not derived, in some way by a word from Old Norse trǫll (“troll, witch, mage, monster, etc.”).