What is "nuthook"

Nuthook \Nut"hook`\, n.

1. A hook at the end of a pole to pull down boughs for gathering the nuts.

2. A thief who steals by means of a hook; also, a bailiff who hooks or seizes malefactors.
   --Shak.

n. 1 A hook on a pole to pull down boughs for gathering nuts. 2 (context obsolete English) A thief who steals by means of a hook, or a bailiff who hooks or seizes malefactors.