subs. (American).—A foot. [Cf. BEATER, one who ‘beat’ or walked the streets. Barclay, in Shyp of Folys (1509), speaks of ‘night watchers and BETERS of the stretes.’] See CREEPERS. Hence BEATER-CASES = boots or shoes, TROTTER-CASES (q.v.).
2. (old).—See quot.
1608. DEKKER, The Belman of London [GROSART, Works, III., 131]. Sometimes likewise this Card-cheating, goes not under the name of Bernard’s Lawe, but is called Batt fowling, and then ye Setter is the BEATER, the foole that is caught in the net, the bird, the Tauerne to which they repaire to worke the Feate, is the Bush; the wine the Strap, and the cardes the Limetwigs.
