or abactor, subs. (old).—See quot. 1691.
1659. HAMMOND, On Psalms, cxliv. 14. 696. Invaders and ABACTORS, whose breaking in … is attended with the cattels passing through or going out.
1691. BLOUNT, Law Dictionary. ABACTORS (abactores) were stealers of Cattle or Beasts, by Herds, or great numbers; and were distinguished from Fures.
1818. Annual Register. [Abridged. One of the tricks of the ABACTERS of old Smithfield was the driving a bullock into a jeweller’s or other shop, and during the confusion the ABACTER’S confederates would help themselves to any valuables handy … one shop was so served three times in the year.]
1829. LAMB, Correspondence with Procter, 29 Jan. I thought … the ABACTOR or ABACTOR’S wife (vide Ainsworth) would suppose she had heard something; and I have delicacy for a sheep-stealer.
