subs. (old).—A cheat; sharper; or trickster. [From CONY-CATCH, verb (q.v.), + ER.] For synonyms, see ROOK.
1592. JOHN DAY, The Blind Beggar of Bednal Green, Act iii., Sc. 3, p. 57. We’ll go seek out those CONY-CATCHERS; and ere I catch them, I’ll make them pay soundly all for their roguery.
1599. MINSHEU, Dictionary, s.v. A CONIE-CATCHER: a name given to deceivers, by a metaphor, taken from those that rob warrens, and conie-grounds, using all means, sleights, and cunning to deceive them, as pitching of haies before their holes, fetching them in by tumblers, etc.
1602. ROWLANDS, Greenes Ghost haunting Conie-Catchers, p. 3. [Hunterian Club’s Reprint, 1874]. And the name of CONICATCHERS is so odious, that now a dayes it is had vp, and vsed for an opprobrious name for euerie one that sheweth the least occasion for deceit.
1822. SCOTT, The Fortunes of Nigel, ch. xxiii. Marry, thou hast me on the hip there, thou old miserly CONY-CATCHER!
