A set of mock masons, who, A.D. 1744, made a ludicrous procession in ridicule of the Free Masons.
Definition taken from The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.
scab * scalderNathan Bailey's 1721 Dictionary of canting and thieving slang
John S. Farmer's collection of canting songs and slang rhymes