1819Big piecers [see sense A. 11b]. 1910 9 Mar. 4/1 There are over 40,000 male cotton-piecers who earn from 8s. 6d. to 15s. 6d. as little-piecers (youths), and from 13s. 6d. to 22s. 6d. as big-piecers (young men).
2003 A. Fowler ii. 18 Any spinner falling out of work..might face the ignominy of being forced to accept employment as a big piecer.