subs. (old: now recognised).—A child-stealer. See quots. Cf. SHEEP-NAPPER.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. KIDNAPPER, one that Decoys or Spirits (as it is commonly called) Children away and Sells them for the Plantations.
1725. A New Canting Dictionary, s.v.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. KIDNAPPER, originally one who stole, or decoyed children, or apprentices from their parents or masters, to send them to the colonies. Called also spiriting, but now used for all recruiting crimps, for the king’s troops, or those of the East India company, and agents for indenting servants for the plantations.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, xxxiv. The devil can scarce save Dirk Hatteraick from being hanged for a murderer and KIDNAPPER, if the younker of Ellangowan should settle in this country.
