Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. hoaxing, swindling, deceiving.

1858		R.S. Surtees Ask Mamma 3: At first, of course, he always tried the humbugging system.
1878		‘’Arry on Pooty Women’ in Punch 21 Sept. in P. Marks (2006) 148: Their humbuggin’ notions ain’t mine.
1898		Binstead & Wells Pink ’Un and Pelican 220: Two runners only turned out for some humbugging, old-fashioned race like the Yorkshire Oaks.
1907		J. Conrad Secret Agent (1994) 32: He was fated to be the victim of the first humbugging rascal that came along.
1917		Manchester Eve. News 24 July 2/1: [headline] A Humbugging Peace Proposition.
1923		Western Morn. News 2 Jan. 3/2: The owner and user of this traction engine is again burdened with this hugging act.
1944		J. Cary Horse’s Mouth (1948) 249: Get out [...] You humbugging rock-knacker.

2. hypocritical.

1889		B. Mitford Fire Trumpet I 148: It was only that humbugging old Garthorpe, who goes about preaching.
1936		Exeter & Plymouth Gaz. 29 May 17/7: We are getting a humbugging apology for education.