ˈdarkmans Thieves' cant.
[f. dark a.: the second element occurs also in crackmans a hedge, lightmans the day, etc.]
The night.
| 1567 Harman Caveat 85, I couched a hogshead in a Skypper this darkemans. 1611 Dekker Roaring Girle Wks. 1873 III. 216 With all whom I'le tumble this next darkmans in the strommel. a 1700 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Darkmans-Budge..one that slides into a House in the Dusk, to let in..Rogues to rob. 1737 Bacchus & Venus, Each Darkmans I pass in an old shady Grove. 1815 Scott Guy M. xxviii, Men were men then, and fought other in the open field, and there was nae milling in the darkmans. |