subs. (old cant).—See quot.; a CACKLING CHEAT (q.v.).

1

  1573.  HARMAN, A Caveat or Warening for Common Cursetors (Repr. 1814), p. 65. A MARGERI PRATER, a hen.

2

  1609.  DEKKER, Lanthorne and Candlelight, in Wks. (GROSART), III. 201. MARGERY PRATER, a Henne.

3

  1652.  R. BROME, A Joviall Crew, ii.

        Here’s grunter and bleater, with tib of the butt’ry,
And MARGERY PRATER, all dress’d without slutt’ry.

4

  1665.  R. HEAD, The English Rogue, Pt. I. ch. v. p. 50 (1874), s.v.

5

  c. 1696.  B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v.

6

  1712.  J. SHIRLEY, The Triumph of Wit, ‘The Maunder’s Praise of His Strowling Mort.’

        When the lightman up does call,
  MARGERY PRATER from her nest.

7

  1724.  E. COLES, English Dictionary, s.v.

8

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

9