varment, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

varment n.

[? DSUE (1984) suggests dial. varment/vermin, any animal destructive of game, but OED disputes this, rejecting any such link]

an amateur sportsman who has the skill of a professional; also attrib.

1773		O. Goldsmith She Stoops to Conquer Act V: Rabbit me, but I’d rather ride forty miles after a fox than ten with such varment.
1821		‘An Amateur’ Real Life in London II 519: They take upon themselves the dress and manners of the Varment Club.