cuss

verb

1. (US, colloquial)To use cursing, to use bad language, to speak profanely.

   “I went over the fence like a shot, and ran like one o'clock for the trap, cussing and swearing as I went.”

noun

1. (US, colloquial)A curse.
2. (US, colloquial)A curse word.
3. (US, colloquial)Fellow, person. (From the replacement of a derogatory or affectionate cuss (“curse word”) like son of a bitch with the word cuss.)

   “Biggest rascal [...] and the most likable cuss I've run up against in a year.”

   “Polybius was a determined cuss and he kept at the fruit cart until he saved enough to start a regular fruit store.”

   “In fact, I'd like to recommend that every village and town go out of its way to make sure it still has an ornery cuss in its midst. [...] Wanted: More Ornery Cusses Prime Fathers”

   “"He's [...] Just an ornery cuss.'"”

4. (US, colloquial, dated)A fellow, person.

   “Seemingly here was an intruder who was violating custom. Moreover, the partners had come to look upon this exceedingly rich district as their exclusive property. And so their indignation was extreme. "The low-down, ornery cuss!" said Dobbs. "The nerve of him, crowdin' in on us, just as if there wasn't lots of other places for him to go!"”

   “"Proud young cuss, aren't you?" "Apparently - I don't know." "Or is it you are just pig-headed?"”

   “Talk about the boy saying to the girl, “Golly, baby, I’m a lucky cuss!””

   “Dawn Run's owner, Charmian Hill, who had insisted on trainer Paddy Mullins 'jocking off' his son Tony and putting up Jonjo O'Neill to ride her in the Gold Cup, was an awkward cuss too.”