I. ˈbilk transitive verb
Etymology: perhaps alteration of balk (II)
Date: 1647
1. : to block the free development of : frustrate
fate bilk s their hopes
2.
a. : to cheat out of something valuable : defraud
b. : to evade payment of or to
bilk s his creditors
3. : to slip away from
bilk ed her pursuers
• bilk·er noun
II. noun
Date: 1790
: an untrustworthy tricky individual : cheat