or cuffs, subs. (old).—Cuffs with the hand; fisticuffs; hence close quarters.
1603. KNOLLES, The Generall Historie of the Turkes, p. 891. The Christians desired nothing more than to fight, & to come to HANDY BLOWS.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. HANDY BLOWS, Fistycuffs.
1725. A New Canting Dictionary, s.v.
