pilcher, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

pilcher n.

[? ‘one who wears a pilch or leathern jerkin or doublet’ or ‘one who pilches, a thief’ (OED); ult. SE pilchard]

1. a general term of abuse.

1608		Merry Devil of Edmonton D4: Come yee Hungarian pilchers.
1664		T. Jordan ‘The Cheaters Cheated’ A Royal Arbor 35: Good morrow, fellow Filcher / What! do we sink or swim? / Thou look’st so like a pilcher.

2. (UK Und.) a thief, esp. of handkerchiefs.

1857		‘Ducange Anglicus’ Vulgar Tongue 25: Pilcher of Fogles A stealer of pocket-handkerchiefs.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum 67: Pilcher A stealer; generally applied to fellows who steal pocket-handkerchiefs.

3. (Aus.) an unspecified sum of money.

1895

C. Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 58: Pilcher, a sum of money.

pilcher-catcher (n.)

a Dutchman.

1652		Laughing Mercury 15-22 Sept. 186: Ye most Illustrious Pilcher-cathers; ye ingratefull Schellums; yee larded Cowards.
1652		Laughing Mercury 6-12 Oct. 115: The High and Mighty Pilcher-Catchers are now levying every fift man from 16 to 60.