(the former being 17th-century slang, still in use). peterman (plural <span class="searchmatch">petermen</span>) (slang) A safecracker. peteman, safebreaker, safecracker, yegg, yeggman...
used trinks or nets attached to posts or anchors for taking fish, and <span class="searchmatch">petermen</span>, who used a broom in fishing, ' beating the bush.' 2010, Ann Featherstone...