common scold

noun

(in early common law) a habitually rude and brawling woman whose conduct was subject to punishment as a public nuisance.

Origin of common scold

First recorded in 1760–70

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Alice Sheltoir, charged with being a common scold—to the thew.
London | Walter Besant
He was made to order for the position of common scold in a country sewing-circle.
Punchinello, Vol. II., No. 33, November 12, 1870 | Various
Conviction of a common scold, Sept. 11, 1821; sentence not reported.
The Olden Time Series, Vol. 5: Some Strange and Curious Punishments | Henry M. Brooks
Another woman was carried round, a distaff in her hand and a blue hood on her head, for a common scold.
London | Walter Besant
At home she might make herself a common scold, might be pestiferously officious and more than pestiferously noisy.
From Place to Place | Irvin S. Cobb

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