▪ I. cloyer1
(ˈklɔɪə(r))
One who or that which cloys.
| 1842 Fraser's Mag. XXVI. 184 Possession, that too frequent cloyer of wedded joys. |
▪ II. † ˈcloyer2 Obs. Thieves' Cant.
[perh. f. cloy = cly v.; or from cloy v.1: but neither appears entirely to yield the sense. Cf. also cloyner.]
1. ‘A term in the slang of the thieves of old time, for one who intruded on the profits of young sharpers, by claiming a share’ (Nares).
| 1602 Rowlands Greene's Cony-catchers 16 If the Cutpurse denie snappage, his cloyer or follower forthwith boyles him, that is, bewrayes him. Ibid. (1860) 22 These haue their cloyers and followers, which are very troublesome to them. 1611 Middleton & Dekker Roaring Girl D.'s Wks. 1873 III. 220 Then there's a cloyer, or snap, that dogges any new brother in that trade, and snappes, will haue halfe in any booty. |
2. A thief, cutpurse, shoplifter. [cf. cloy, cly.]
| 1659 Caterpillars Anatomized, Tilers, or Cloyers, equivalent to shoplifters. 1688 R. Holme Armoury ii. iii. §68 Cloyers, Thieues, Purloyners. c 1690 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Cloyers, Thieves, Robbers, Rogues. 1725 in New Cant. Dict. |