Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(UK Und.) a fake priest, specializing in performing illegal marriage ceremonies.

c.1561

Awdeley Fraternitye of Vacabondes in Viles & Furnivall (1907) 6: A Patriarke Co doth make mariages, & that is vntill death depart the maried folke, which is after this sort: When they come to a dead Horse or any dead Catell, then they shake hands and so depart euery one of them a seuerall way.