E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Crimp.
A decoy; a man or woman that is on the look-out to decoy the unwary. It is more properly applied to an agent for supplying ships with sailors, but these agents are generally in league with public-houses and private lodging-houses of low character, into which they decoy the sailors and relieve them of their money under one pretence or another. (Welsh, crimpiaw, to squeeze or pinch; Norwegian, krympe, a sponge.)
