1851 in 26 July 7/4 (stage direct.) Grunting as if to clear his throat, and arranging his shirt-gills, &c.
1885 C. E. Cameron (1886) xxxv. 287 ‘Well, Tom, you must own he's handsomer than you.’ ‘Not quite so ugly, perhaps,’ admitted Tom, with some reluctance, pulling up his shirt-gills with importance.