wharf rat

noun

a large brown rat that is commonly found on wharves.
a person who lives or loiters near wharves, often existing by pilfering from ships or warehouses.

wharf rat

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25

The animal is ten inches long to the termination of the tail, with a body very much the size and color of a large wharf-rat.

But you see, there aint a wharf-rat left in Windover as ud trust me now!

It was strong enough of nicotine to drive a wharf-rat to suicide.

The fireman had found him—a little wharf rat—in Port Antonio.

He is a wharf rat at Quebec, and is being used by these outlaws to further their treacherous ends.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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