Cant. Obs. [Of uncertain origin; perh. a special sense of VERSE v.2 Cf. VERSER2.]

1

  1.  intr. To practise fraud or imposition. Also with it.

2

1591.  ? Greene, Def. Conny-Catch. (1859), 4. I had consorts that could verse, nippe, and foyst.

3

1591.  Greene, Discov. Cosenage, 10 b. If the poore Farmar be bashfull, and passeth by one of these shameles strumpets, then wil she verse it with him, and claime acquaintance of him. Ibid. (c. 1592), Theeues Falling out (1615), A iv. We goe so neate in apparell … that wee are hardly smoakt; versing vpon all men with kinde courtesies and faire wordes.

4

  2.  trans. To impose upon; to cozen, cheat, defraud. Also const. to.

5

1591.  Greene, Discov. Cosenage, 10 b. Till shee and her crosse-biters haue verst him to the beggers estate. Ibid., 11 b. Heere is a simpler, quoth shee, Ile Verse him or hang me.

6

  Hence † Versing vbl. sb. Cant. Obs.

7

1591.  Greene, Discov. Cosenage, 7. Versing Law, coosenage by false gold.

8