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 1736 Dictionary of canting and thieving slang
John S. Farmer's collection of canting songs and slang rhymes