An answer to the offer of any thing inadequate to the purpose for which it is wanted, just as a bandbox would be if used for a seat.
Definition taken from The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.
Miller * Mine Uncle’sNathan Bailey's 1736 Dictionary of canting and thieving slang
John S. Farmer's collection of canting songs and slang rhymes