Thieves’ Cant. Obs. Also 6 bong, boong, 6–7 boung. [Origin unknown: the resemblance to OE. pung purse (also Fris. pung ‘purse’ in Koolman), is worthy of notice. Cf. quot. 1592 in BUNG v. 3.]
a. A purse. b. A pick-pocket. Also in comb., as bung-nipper, a pick-pocket.
1567. Harman, Caveat, 83/1. Bunge, a pursse.
1592. Def. Coneycatching (1859), 4. Some … would venture all the byte in their boung at dice.
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., II. iv. 138. You Cut-purse Rascall, you filthy Bung.
1611. Dekker, Roar. Girle, Wks. 1873, III. 217. Shal you and I nip a bung? shall you and I cut a purse?
a. 1658. Cleveland, Cl. Vind. (1677), 96. An Authentick Gypsie, that nips your Bung with a Canting Ordinance.
1659. Caterpillers of Nat. Anat., Bung-Nibber, or Cut-purse = a pickpocket.
1725. New Cant. Dict, Bung, a Purse, Pocket, or Fob…. Bung nippers, Cut-purses.
