▪ I. mosker, n. slang.
(ˈmɒskə(r))
[f. mosk v. + -er1.]
One who ‘moskeneers’.
| 1883 Daily Tel. 9 July 3/1 The ‘mosker’..is, in slang vernacular, one who makes a living by taking advantage of the business incapacity of persons engaged in the pawnbroking trade. 1905 Daily News 1 Mar. 6 There is an average loss to the pawnbroker on these unredeemed pledges, which are often bought cheaply and in bulk by the ‘mosker’. Then they are artfully retailed, one by one, and in the character of personal belongings, to unwary pawnbrokers. |
▪ II. mosker, v. Obs. exc. dial. (Yorks., Linc.: see E.D.D.)
(ˈmɒskə(r))
[Of obscure origin.]
intr. To decay, rot; to crumble or moulder away. Hence ˈmoskered, ˈmoskering ppl. adjs.
| 1612 Capt. Smith Map Virginia 15 Some moskered shining stones and spangles which the waters brought down. 1621 T. Granger Comm. Eccles. xii. 320 The teeth stand thin, or loose, or moskerd at the root. 1641 Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees) 122 The first decay of wilfes is allwayes att the hearte, for they will rotte, mosker, and bee hollowe within, soe that [etc.]. 1691 Ray N.C. Words 50 To Mosker; to Rot, or contract Corruption, perhaps from gathering Mosse; as a Moskerd Tree, a Moskerd Tooth. |