jigger (2)

[See def.] A corruption of chigie, or chigoe (q. v.). jig'-gered, a. [ Eng.jigger; -ed.] Suffering from the burrowing of the jigger or chigoe (q. v.). This word is often used as an imprecation. Davies ( Supp . Glo ), says "the expre ion arose from the suffering caused by the chigoe insect in the West Indies." An alternative etymol., suggested by the common use of the word in the mining districts, is from JIGGER (1), II. 6. jig'-ging, pr. par., a. & 8. [JIG, v.] A. & B. As pr. par. & particip. adj.: (See the verb.) C. As subst.: The act or proce of dre ing ores in a jigger.