Definition of "soccer"

The 'Varsity played Aston Villa and were beaten after a very exciting game; this was pre-eminently the most important "Socker" game played in Oxford this term.

1885 December, “Our Oxford Letter”, in The Oldhallian‎, page 171

Golf is perhaps seven or eight years old in Oxford, ... football, seu Rugger, sive Soccer, not more than sixteen or seventeen.

1888 February 15, “Charley Symonds”, in The Oxford Magazine‎, page 224

Those who play under the "Socker" (Association) rules in the North of England, the Midlands, and Scotland take no heed of the warmness of the weather

1889 September 16, “Football Prospects in the West of England”, in The Western Daily Press, volume 63, number 9757, Bristol, page 7

Socker (public schools), football played according to the Association Rules

1890, Albert Barrère, Charles Leland, A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant‎, volume 2, Ballantyne, page 275

1987, Charles Hughes, The Football Association Coaching Book of Soccer: Tactics and Skills, London: BBC

The rule seems to have encouraged players to soccer the ball along the ground.

1990, Geoffrey Blainey, A Game of Our Own: The Origins of Australian Football, Black Inc. Publishing, published 2003, page 73

[…] West Perth seemed on the verge of victory, only to succumb by 4 points after a soccered goal from Old Easts with less than half a minute remaining.

2008, John Devaney, Full Points Footy′s WA Football Companion, page 334

Fevola showed the best and worst of his play after dropping a simple chest mark, only to regather seconds later and soccer the ball through from the most acute of angles.

2010 March 27, Michael Whiting, “Lions give Fev debut to remember”, in AFL - The official site of the Australian Football League