Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (UK Und.) a prison warden [SE abbey, as generic for prison].

1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
c.1850		Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.

2. a brothel-keeper’s husband or lover [the male counterpart of the abbess n.].

1890–1904

Farmer & Henley Sl. and Its Analogues.