subs. (old).—The victim of a sharper or rook: JACK IN THE BOX = a swindler or cheat.
1609. DEKKER, Lanthorne and Candlelight, Wks., 1884–5, III., 290. They that are Cheated by Iacke in a Boxe, are called BLEATERS.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. Idem.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Idem.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum. Idem.
2. (old cant).—A sheep; mutton: also BLEATING-CHEAT (B. E. and GROSE). Hence BLEATING-CULL = a sheep stealer, BLEATING-PRIG (or RIG) = sheep-stealing.
1652. R. BROME, A Joviall Crew, s.v.
