cold-bite, v. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

cold-bite v.

[cold adv. (2) + bite v. (6); note commercial jargon cold-call, for a salesman to approach a potential client without making a prior appointment]

(Aus./N.Z.) to ask a stranger for money.

1945		Baker Aus. Lang.
1973		F. Huelin ‘Keep Moving’ 126: I resorted to cold-biting around the wealthier houses.
1979		(con. 1930s) G. Stewart Leveller 21: The ‘drunken bums and alkies’ were dirty [...] and hung around pubs, ‘cold biting’ — begging money.