Thieves’ cant. Also 6 cuffen, 7 cuffing. [? connected with CUFF sb.3] A man, fellow, chap; = COVE sb.2 Queer cuffin: a churlish fellow; also, a justice.
1567. Harman, Caveat, 86. Yonder dwelleth a quyere cuffen … Yonder dwelleth a hoggeshe and choyrlyshe man.
1608. Dekker, Lanth. & Candle-lt. The word Coue, or Cofe, or Cuffin, signifies a Man, a Fellow.
1641. Brome, Joviall Crew, II. Wks. 1873, III. 389. We are assaulted by a quire Cuffin.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Queere-cuffin, a Justice of Peace; also a Churl.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxv. ‘He knows my gybe as well as the jark of e’er a queer cuffin in England.’
1829. Lytton, Disowned, 4. ‘What ho, my bob cuffins,’ cried the gipsy guide, ‘I have brought you a gentry cove.’
