subs. (old).—A beggar working with a false petition.

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  1567.  HARMAN, A Caveat or Warening for Common Cursetors, s.v. FRATER, a beggar wyth a false paper.

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  1622.  FLETCHER, Beggar’s Bush, ii., 1.

        And these, what name or title e’er they bear,
Jarkman, or Patrico, Cranke, or Clapper-dudgeon,
FRATER, or Abram-man, I speak to all
That stand in fair election for the title
Of king of beggars.

3

  1791.  R. GOADBY, The Life and Adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew, ‘The Oath of the Canting Crew.’

        Rogue or rascal, FRATER, maunderer,
Irish toyle, or other wanderer.

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