Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(UK Und.) a forger of begging permits, which were required by each London parish.

1845

Sporting World 19 Apr. 50/2: In the Rookery formerly resided a species of malefactor denominated a router [...] a seedy, broken-down gentleman of good classical education [...] These routers were wont to forge the names of parsons, magistrates, churchwardens and overseers, in order to enable imposters to be passed from parish to another.