E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Follower.
A male sweetheart who follows the object of his affections. A word very common among servants. Mistresses say to female servants, “I allow no followers”—i.e. I do not allow men to come into my house to see you. Also a disciple, a partisan.
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“The pretty neat servant-maids had their choice of desirable followers.”—E. C. Gaskell: Cranford, chap. iii. p. 53.
