noun
subordinate of a hired thief-taker (Edo period)
Historical term for an assistant to an 岡っ引き, a private thief-taker in the Edo period. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical contexts.
See also: 岡っ引き
江戸時代、下っ引は岡っ引きの手下として犯罪者を捕まえる手伝いをした。
In the Edo period, a 下っ引 assisted the 岡っ引き as a subordinate in catching criminals.