To examine minutely into a matter or business. A prying fellow; a man of impertinent curiosity, apt to peep and inquire into other men’s secrets.
Definition taken from The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.
Prunella * Public ManNathan Bailey's 1736 Dictionary of canting and thieving slang
John S. Farmer's collection of canting songs and slang rhymes