from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Toadeater \Toad"eat`er\, n. [Said to be so called in allusion to
an old alleged practice among mountebanks' boys of eating
toads (popularly supposed to be poisonous), in order that
their masters might have an opportunity of pretending to
effect a cure. The French equivalent expression is un avaleur
de couleuvres. Cf. {Toady}.]
A fawning, obsequious parasite; a mean sycophant; a
flatterer; a toady. --V. Knox.
[1913 Webster]
You had nearly imposed upon me, but you have lost your
labor. You're too zealous a toadeater, and betray
yourself. --Dickens.
[1913 Webster]