toadyism

noun, plural toad·ies.

1. an obsequious flatterer; sycophant.

verb (used with object), toad·ied, toad·y·ing.

2. to be the toady to.

verb (used without object), toad·ied, toad·y·ing.

3. to be a toady.

noun plural toadies

1. a person who flatters and ingratiates himself or herself in a servile way; sycophant

verb toadies, toadying or toadied

2. to fawn on and flatter (someone)

n.“servile parasite,” 1826, apparently shortened from toad-eater “fawning flatterer” (1742), originally referring to the assistant of a charlatan, who ate a toad (believed to be poisonous) to enable his master to display his skill in expelling the poison (1620s). The verb is recorded from 1827. Related: Toadied; toadying.