Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(UK Und.) rowdiness; thus raffryroister, one who stages a fake fight in a public house, talking advantage of the confusion to commit a robbery.

c.1850

Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict. n.p.: Raffryroisters rascals who go into public-houses in parties of three or four together, pretend a quarrel either amongst themselves or with some of the company, make a sham-fight, and take advantage of the confusion to rob.