subs. (old cant).—Linen: spec. linen hung out to dry: also SNOWY. Hence SNOW-GATHERER (or DROPPER) = a hedge-thief: also SNOW-DROPPING (GROSE and VAUX).
1887. J. W. HORSLEY, Jottings from Jail. We used to go and smug SNOWY (steal linen) that was hung out to dry.
