1761 in (1912) XLVIII. 96 Hinges, thumb latches, hammers.
1801 P. A. Nemnich ii. 686/2 Thumb latches, Thürklinken mit einem Drücker.
1844 H. Stephens II. 167 The outer-door provided with a good thumb-latch, and lock and key.
1883 G. J. Romanes xx. 351 (note) A cat which jumps at a thumb-latch, and while holding on to the curved handle beneath with one foreleg, depresses the thumb-piece with the other.