Green’s Dictionary of Slang

yankee n.2

[yank off under yank v.1 ]

(gay) masturbation; a masturbator.

[US]B. Rodgers Queens’ Vernacular 116: Yankee (fr sl yank off = masturbation).
[US]Maledicta IX 61: Yankee n [R] Masturbation; homosexual slang.