Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PIL'FER, v.i. [W. yspeiliata, to pilfer; yspeiliaw, to spoil, to ravage; Sp. pellizcar, to pinch, to pilfer, to take little food. It seems to be allied to peel, pillage.]

To steal in small quantities; to practice petty theft; as, a boy accustomed to pilfer. A pilfering hand. – Dryden.