Green’s Dictionary of Slang

lit. or fig., a blow, esp. one to the ribs, thus the body in general.

1819		‘One of the Fancy’ Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress 51: While ribbers rung from each resounding frame .
1825		Pierce Egan’s Life in London 10 July 189/1: Cooper napt another cheeker, George [...] put in a severe ribber.
1853		N.Y. Clipper 6 Aug. 1/7: Massey gave him a smack in the mouth, followed by a ribber with the right.
1855		(con. 1821) Fights for the Championship 65: Jobbing, nobbing, and pinking [...] then giving Gas a terrible belly-go-firster, then a ribber.
1868		Sportsman 17 June 2/1: Notes on News [...] Next day the ‘liners’ [i.. hack journalists] nearly caused our death by the most painful ribbers we ever experienced.