cozen

English

Etymology

Origin uncertain.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkʌzən/
• Rhymes: -ʌzən
• Homophone: cousin

Verb

cozen (third-person singular simple present cozens, present participle cozening, simple past and past participle cozened)

1. (archaic) To cheat; to defraud; to beguile; to deceive, usually by small arts, or in a pitiful way.
   • 1602 : William Shakespeare, Hamlet , act III scene 2

     [...] What devil was't

     That thus hath cozened you at hoodman-blind?

Related terms

• cozener
• cozenage

References

Webster's New School and Office Dictionary, copyright 1962 Online Etymology Dictionary http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cozen