v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Thimblerigged p. pr. & vb. n. Thimblerigging. ] To swindle by means of small cups or thimbles, and a pea or small ball placed under one of them and quickly shifted to another, the victim laying a wager that he knows under which cup it is; hence, to cheat by any trick. [ 1913 Webster ]