What is "to grease the hand"

Grease \Grease\ (gr[=e]z or gr[=e]s; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Greased (gr[=e]zd or gr[=e]sd); p. pr. & vb. n. Greasing.]

1. To smear, anoint, or daub, with grease or fat; to lubricate; as, to grease the wheels of a wagon.

2. To bribe; to corrupt with presents.

   The greased advocate that grinds the poor.
   --Dryden.

3. To cheat or cozen; to overreach. [Obs.]
   --Beau. & Fl.

4. (Far.) To affect (a horse) with grease, the disease.

   To grease in the hand, To grease the hand, to corrupt by bribes.
   --Usher.