A term used for one burned in the hand. He has got his badge, and piked; he was burned in the hand, and is at liberty. Cant. [i.e. branded—Liam]
Definition taken from The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.
See also the definition in Nathan Bailey's 1721 dictionary of canting and thieving slang.
bad bargain * badge-covesNathan Bailey's 1721 Dictionary of canting and thieving slang
John S. Farmer's collection of canting songs and slang rhymes