Cant. [Cf. VERSE v.3] One of a gang of cozeners or swindlers (see quots.).
c. 1550. Dice-Play (Percy Soc.), 38. He lightly hath in his company a man of more worship than himself, that hath the countenance of a possessioner of land, and he is called the verser.
1591. Greene, Discov. Cosenage, 1. There bee requisite effectually to act the Art of Conny-catching, three seuerall parties: the Setter, the Verser, and the Barnackle. Ibid., 3. Imagine the Connie is in the Tauerne, then sits down the Verser, and saith to the Setter, what sirha, wilt thou giue mee a quart of wine, or shall I giue thee one? [etc.].
1606. Chapman, Mons. D’Ol., IV. i. F iij b. D’Ol. Can he verse? Pac. I, and sett too, my Lord; Hee’s both a Setter and a Verser.
