old-man

plural old-men

1. alternativenonstandardAlternative spelling of old man.

1. Australianot comparable(applied to plants and animals) Of exceptional size or age.

   Along the banks of the Georgina are alternate patches of old-man scrub and strips of plain country.

   1934, Henry G. Lamond, An Aviary On The Plains, page 209

   1 more example

   Davey suddenly jumped from his horse and ran after a big old-man bungarra. The goanna had arms like a bear.

   1937, Ion L. Idriess, Over the Range, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, published 1947, page 14

2. Australianot comparable(applied to weather) Of exceptional intensity.

   They Say: That the wild ducks have tipped an "old man flood."

   1900 July 8, The Sunday Times, Sydney, page 1, column 1