subs. (thieves’).—‘A sharp or subtil Fellow’ (B. E., c. 1696, and GROSE); ‘a sharper’ (BAILEY, 1731); a sly, cunning BLADE (q.v.): also (old) WHIP-STROKE (like WHIPSTER) = a term of abuse.

1

  1550.  Jyl of Brentford’s Testament [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 466. We see WHYPSTROKE].

2

  1602.  SHAKESPEARE, Othello, v. 2. Every puny WHIPSTER gets my sword.

3

  fl. 1650.  R. FLETCHER, Poems, 64.

        From Memphis comes a WHIPSTER unto thee,
And a Black Indian from the red Sea.

4

  1697.  VANBRUGH, The Provoked Wife, v. 3. That young Liquorish WHIPSTER, Heartfree.

5