antedating "cant"

[Jonathan Lighter]

In the obs. sense "A toss, pitch, or throw, which overturns, casts down, etc....   1736 J. LEWIS Hist. Thanet Gloss., Cant..likewise signifies a cast or throw; ‘I gave him a cant’. "

  From EEBO:

  1683 _The Loyal Caution to All the Kings Friends...A Song_ v: But her Husband was Loyal & gave him a _Cant_.

  JL


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