in Law, buying or bargaining for any corn, cattle, victuals, or merchandise, in the way as they come to fairs or markets to be sold, before they get thither, with an intent to sell the same again at a higher price.

The punishment for this offence, upon conviction at the quarter sessions by two or more witnesses, is, for the first time, two months imprisonment and the loss of the goods, or the value; for the second offence the offender shall be imprisoned six months, and lose double the value of the goods; for the third offence he shall suffer imprisonment during the king's pleasure, forfeit all his goods and chattels, and stand on the pillory; but the statute does not extend to maltsters buying barley, or to badgers licensed.