Green’s Dictionary of Slang

Dr Bates n.

[devel. of been to see Captain Bates? phr.]

(US Und.) a dangerous ex-convict.

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[US]C.G. Givens ‘Chatter of Guns’ in Sat. Eve. Post 13 Apr.; list extracted in AS VI:2 (1930) 132: Doctor Bates, a. Term for any dangerous ex-convict.