cank, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

cank n.

[? ironic reverse of dial. cank, a gossip, a chatterer]

(UK Und.) a dumb person.

a.1674		‘A Wenches complaint for . . . her lusty Rogue’ Head Canting Academy (1674) 17: Cank and Dommerar thou couldst play.
1688		R. Holme Academy of Armory Ch. iii item 68c: Canting Terms used by Beggars, Vagabonds, Cheaters, Cripples and Bedlams. [...] Canke, a Dumb Man.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit 200: Cank and Dommerar thou couldst play [Dumb and Madman thou couldst play].
1725		New Canting Dict.