Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. to demand money, to cadge, to beg for a loan; thus fanging for, desperate for.

1821		‘A Real Paddy’ Real Life in Ireland 199: When I slipt the joint, and fang’d the arm, he strengthened the sinews, and dibb’d the tenpennies.
1918		Aussie (France) 4 Apr. 3/2: Well, I wanter put th’ fangs into yer fer yer blanky chopper ter carve some wood for th’ bleeding brazier.
1919		W.H. Downing Digger Dialects 22: fangs (n.) — ‘To put in the fangs’ — to demand money, etc.
1967		‘Whisper All Aussie Dict.’ in Kings Cross Whisper (Sydney) xxxiv 4/5: fang: To borrow from a person. Whereas a snip is only a small loan a fang is a large ‘bite’.
1982		N. Keesing Lily on the Dustbin 120: A welcome ‘cuppa’ (tea) when one is ‘fanging for a drink’ ‘just wets my sides’.
1986		R.G. Barrett Real Thing 73: I’ve been fanging for a beer since bloody ten o’clock this morning.
1993		Aus. Word Map 🌐 fang to ask for a handout or loan.
2007		L. Redhead Cherry Pie [ebook] I drove home on a total high, fanging for a drink and a cigarette.

2. (Aus.) to arrest, to catch.

1990

Sydney Morn. Herald 15 Feb. 15/1: If you are [robbed] the local constabulary will move heaven and earth to fang the wretched miscreant and return your goods.

3. to eat.

2002		M. Miller on Gum Tree Lodge 🌐 This has got me hungry! Think I’ll go and fang one now!
2016		A. Wheatle Crongton Knights 196: What do you want us to so ? [...] Stay here on Fireclaw Heath and fang and badger for breakfast?