subs. (old).—Thieves who made a special business of robbing the lieges of their CLOAKS. [From CLOAK + TWITCH, to snatch, + ER.] In the old French cant these rogues were termed tirelaines, i.e., wool-pullers (tirer = pull). For synonyms, see THIEVES.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
