Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
From Scots troak, troke (“to barter, truck”), from Middle English trukken, trukien (> English truck), from Old French troquier, of Germanic origin. Compare German Trug (“deceit, trickery, deception”). More at truck.
- To barter or trade, especially outside a government monopoly.
1885, anonymous, “A REMARKABLE WELL”, Waikato Times:
- The trade of Greenland is a strict monopoly of the Danish Government, and accordingly the Government puts a cheek upon any trading or fishing within a certain distance of the coast. It does not, however, prohibit the sale of small articles not used in their trade, here commences a curious traffic with the natives, known to the Scottish whalers under the name of "troaking".
1755 1755-05-09, Allan Ramsay, Blyth, The Edinburgh magazine, or Literary miscellany, page 40:
- For living are obliged to rub thro' to fend by troaking, buying, felling, the profit's aft no worth the telling.
exchange goods or services without involving money