Definition of "cuss"

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

1899, H. G. Wells, Mr. Brisher's Treasure

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!"

1922, A. M. Chisholm, A Thousand a Plate

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

1936, F.J. Thwaites, chapter I, in The Redemption, Sydney: H. John Edwards, page 6

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

1949, “Happy Talk”, in Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics), Richard Rogers (music), South Pacific

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.

2012, Robin Oakley, Britain and Ireland's Top 100 Racehorses of All Time