subs. (common).—1. A broken-winded horse, a ROARER (q.v.).
2. (common).—An unlicensed vendor of spirits. Hence WHISTLING-SHOP = an illicit dram-shop.
1837. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, xlv. The turnkeys knows beforehand, and gives the word to the WHISTLERS, and you may wistle for it wen you go to look. Ibid. A WHISTLING-SHOP, sir, is where they sell spirits.
