Obs. [f. BROKER + -Y; see -ERY.]
1. The business or action of a broker.
1583. Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. 38. Seeing that you are ignorant of this goodly mysterie, and high profession of brokerie.
a. 1593. Marlowe, Jew of M., II. ii. Cozening, forfeiting, and tricks belonging unto brokery.
1641. W. Cartwright, Ordinary, V. iv. She … that is So expert grown in this flesh Brokery.
2. A broker’s wares; second-hand clothes; anything second-hand or stale.
1597–8. Bp. Hall, Sat., I. iii. 24. Now soouping in side robes of Royaltie, That earst did skrub in lowsie brokerie.
1611. Barrey, Ram-Alley, in Dodsley (1780), V. 493. Clad in old ends, and pieced with brokery.
1634. Canne, Necess. Separ. (1849), 262. Bringing therein nothing but his old brokery.
3. Rascally dealing or trafficking.
1597–8. Bp. Hall, Sat. (1753), 28. Busie their braines with deeper brokerie.
1602. Life T. Cromwell, II. ii. 90. To live by falsehood or by brokery.
a. 1654. A. Ross, Notor. Heretics (1655), 18. By this brokery did this crafty knave chalk out his way to that soveraign dignity whereof he was so ambitious.
