▪ I. ˈprigging, vbl. n. slang.
[f. prig v.1 + -ing1.]
The action of prig v.1; a. (Thieves' Cant.) Stealing; in mod. slang, petty thieving, pilfering. prigging law or prigging lay, thieves' trade or way.
| 1591 Greene Conny Catch. ii. (1592) 3 This base villany of Prigging, or horse-stealing. 1627 E. F. Hist. Edw. II (1680) 82 The Scots, that love not rest, delight in prigging. 1799 in Spirit Pub. Jrnls. III. 353 Three boys brought in for prigging of wipes [pocket handkerchiefs]. 1859 Autobiog. Beggar Boy 99 He had tried the prigging, and had been nabbed four times, and had been twice on the mill. |
| Comb. 1591 Greene Conny Catch. ii. Wks. (Grosart) X. 75 The discovery of the Prigging Law or nature of horse stealing. Ibid. 87 In Prigging Law. The towling place, All-hallowes. 1829 Blackw. Mag. XXVI. 131 As from ken to ken I was going, Doing a bit on the prigging lay. |
b. Higgling or haggling about price or terms; hard bargaining.
| 1632 [see prig v.1 3]. 1654 A. Gray Gt. Salvation (1755) 129 Take it and have it, and there shall be no more prigging. 1821 Joseph the Book-Man 81 The prigging o'er,—the penny down Admitted, beef is bought anon. 1889 Barrie Window in Thrums xviii. 169, I wondered at her want o' pride in priggin' wi' him. |
▪ II. ˈprigging, ppl. a.
[f. prig v.1 + -ing2.]
That prigs. a. Thieving; b. haggling.
| 1567 [see prigger1]. 1599 Sandys Europæ Spec. (1632) 119 Sundry of their prigging and loose Friers..have robbed their Convents of their Church-plate and Repositories. c 1620 Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855) 55 Wee merchands are, wee are not prigging men. 1668 Rolle Abridgm. I. 73 Thou art a prigging, pilfering Merchant, and hast pilfered away my Corn and my Goods. 1886 J. R. Rees Divers. Bk.-worm iv. 136 The works of the prigging author of Tristram. |
† c. ? Connected with priggish 2. Obs.
| a 1625 Fletcher Nice Valour iv. i, Was ever such a prigging coxcombe seen! One might have beat him dumb now in this humour, And he'd ha' grinn'd it out still. |