1747 66 (heading) Coal-crimps.
1809 3 391 It is a well known fact that most of the principal coal buyers in London, and the coal crimps, or factors, are ship-owners, or connected by relationship with ship-owners.
1952 E. Hughes I. vi. 301 ‘There never was a time yt ye Coale trade required more friends,’ wrote William Gilroy, a London coal-crimp.