A
rake, short for
rakehell (analogous to "hellraiser"), is a historic term applied to a man who is habituated to immoral conduct, particularly
womanising. Often a rake was also prodigal who wasted his (usually
inherited) fortune on gambling,
wine, women and song, incurring lavish
debts in the process. Comparable terms are "
libertine" and "debauchee."