slang. [f. CRACK sb. 6 + MAN: cf. sportsman, etc.] A housebreaker.

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1812.  J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., Cracksman, a house-breaker.

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1838.  Dickens, O. Twist, II. 86. You’ll be a fine young cracksman.

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1886.  Alex. Innes Shand, in Blackw. Mag., 597/2. The skilled ‘cracksmen,’ thoroughly versed in the practical mechanics of burglary.

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