From A New Look at Old Words originally found in the Dictionary of Nautical, University, Gypsy and Other Vulgar Tongues first published in 1859. Peery: suspicious, or inquisitive. (I suppose because you peer at or into things.)  Filed under: Slang from the 1700s Tagged: pundefinediundefinedrundefinedaundefinedtundefinedeundefinedsundefinednundefinedaundefineduundefinedtundefinediundefinedcundefinedaundefinedlundefinedwundefinedrundefinediundefinedtundefinediundefined