Green’s Dictionary of Slang

to sponge off.

1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1841		‘F.L.G’ Swell’s Night Guide K4: Scroof, living at others expense.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum.
1889–90		Barrère & Leland Dict. of Sl., Jargon and Cant.
1927		‘Jargon of the Und.’ in DN V 462: Scroof, To live with a pal at his expense.