subs. (old).—The gallows. [After a sequence of three hangmen of the name.] For synonyms, see NUBBING-CHEAT.

1

  1641.  Mercurius Pragmaticus.

        This trembles under the black rod, and he
Doth fear his fate from the GREGORIAN TREE.

2

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.

3