The maundering or pert replies of servants; also talk or palaver in order to amuse one intended to be cheated. Pattering of prayers; the confused sound of a number of persons praying together.
Definition taken from The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.
patrico * to patterNathan Bailey's 1721 Dictionary of canting and thieving slang
John S. Farmer's collection of canting songs and slang rhymes