slang. [perh. f. FAMBLE v. in its (probable) original sense ‘to grope, fumble.’]
1. A hand.
1567. Harman, Caveat, 87. There was a proud patrico and a nosegent, he toke his Iockam in his famble, and a wapping he went.
1622. Fletcher, Beggar’s Bush, II. i. Last we clap our fambles.
1673. R. Head, Canting Acad., 19.
| White thy fambles, red thy gan, | |
| And thy quartons dainty is, | |
| Couch a hogshead with me than, | |
| In the Darkmans clip and kiss. |
1815. Scott, Guy M., xxviii. If I had not helped you with these very fambles (holding up her hands).
† 2. A ring. Obs.
1688. Shadwell, Sqr. Alsatia, II. Look on my finger Sirrah, look here: Here’s a Famble, Putt, Putt: You don’t know what a Famble, a Scout or a Tatler is, you Putt.
1691. Lond. Gaz., No. 2715/4. A small Famble, made up of two little Diamonds, and 4 or 5 Rubies.
† 3. = FAMBLER b. Obs.
1673. R. Head, Canting Acad., 192.
| The thirteenth a Famble, false Rings for to sell, | |
| When a Mob he has bit, his Cole he will tell. |
