Also 6 courber, 7 curbar. [f. CURB v.2 + -ER1.]
1. One who or that which curbs, or restrains.
1610. Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, 45. Carthage … the greatest curber and terror of the Roman weale-publike.
1737. L. Clarke, Hist. Bible, VIII. (1740), 568. Great curbers of their passions.
a. 1849. J. C. Mangan, Poems (1859), 37. The instructress of maidens And curber of boys.
† 2. Thieves’ cant. (See quot. 1591.) Obs. [Perhaps a distinct word.]
1591. Greene, 2nd Pt. Conny-catch. (1592), 24. The Courber, which the common people call the Hooker, is he that with a Curb (as they tearm it) or hook, doth pul out of a window any loose linnen cloth, apparell, or … other houshold stuffe.
1602. Rowlands, Greene’s Ghost (1860), 41. A hooker, whom Conicatching English cals Curbar.
