Green’s Dictionary of Slang

to steal purses.

1592		Lyly Gallathea I iv: The trade of pursing neare shal faile Vntil the Hangman cryes strike saile.
1610		Beaumont & Fletcher Scornful Lady I i: Why, I’ll purse; if that raise me not, I’ll bet at bowling-alleys.
1850		Bell’s Life in Sydney 26 Jan. 3/1: As, however. the light was out when Herr Von P. heard the schillings chink, he [...] could not say whether it was the female individual ‘up stairs, or down stairs in the lady's chamber’ who ‘pursed’ thom.