Sc. [f. THIG v. + -ER1.] One who thigs; a beggar, a cadger; an exactor of contributions; one who plants himself on others for assistance; ‘one who draws on others for subsistence in a genteel sort of way’ (Jamieson); a gaberlunzie or licensed beggar who went his regular rounds, and received a night’s lodging and food at particular houses; also, any one who begged or solicited presents on certain recognized occasions, e.g., wedding-presents.
1424. Sc. Acts Jas. I. (1879), II. 8. Þat na thiggar be thollyt to thyg noþer in burghe nor to land.
a. 1733. Shetland Acts, 4, in Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. (1892), XXVI. 196. That all thiggers of wool, corn, fish and others be apprehended wherever they come.
1822. Scott, Pirate, v. Ye wadna have me waste our substance on every thigger or sorner that has the luck to come by the door in a wet day?
1824. Mactaggart, Gallovid. Encycl., Thiggers … are those who beg in a genteel way; who have their houses they call at in certain seasons, and get corn, and other little things.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, ix. Such exaction, which more resembles the masterful license of Highland thiggers and sorners.
So Thigster [-STER] in same sense.
1710. Dict. Feudal Law, 151. Thigsters, are a sort of gentle Beggars.
