v. Obs. For forms see CONY. [A back-formation from CONY-CATCHER.]
trans. To cheat, trick, dupe, gull. (See next.)
1592. Greene, Def. Conny-Catch. (1859), 29. The Alewife unles she … Connycatch her guestes with stone Pottes and petty cannes can hardly paye her Brewer.
1596. Shaks., Tam. Shr., V. i. 102. Take heede signior Baptista, least you be coni-catcht in this businesse.
1660. Hickeringill, Jamaica (1661), 89. There is no doubt but you are Conny-catch’t.
b. absol.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., I. iii. 36. There is no remedy: I must coni-catch, I must shift.
c. 1600. Day, Begg. Bednell Gr., IV. i. I’ll teach thee to cony-catch too when I come into Norfolk.
