verb (old: now recognised).—To desire eagerly; to fret after; to long or pine for: generally with ‘after.’ Also, HANKERING (subs.) = an importunate and irritating longing.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. HANKER AFTER, to Long or wish much for.
1725. A New Canting Dictionary, s.v.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. To HANKER AFTER any thing; to have a longing after or for it.
1847. ROBB, Streaks of Squatter Life, p. 98. I did see a creatur’ once, named Sofy Mason … that I tuk an orful HANKERIN’ ARTER.
1878. WALT WHITMAN, Leaves of Grass, ‘Spontaneous Me,’ 90 (ed. 1884). The hairy wild-bee that murmurs and HANKERS up and down.
