Definition of "bloak"

He accordingly opened it [a letter], and read as follows:– / "Tim put on the tats yesterday and went out a durry-nakin on the shadows, gadding a hoof. He buzzed a bloak and a shakester of a yack and a skin. [..."] [W]e will lay before our readers a translation of the slang document:– / "Tim dressed himself in rags yesterday, and went out disguised as a beggar half-naked and without shoes or stockings. He robbed a gentleman and a lady of a watch and a purse. [..."]

1847, George W[illiam] M[acArthur] Reynolds, “Old Death”, in The Mysteries of London, volume III (volume I, Second Series), London: G. Vickers, […], page 66, column 1

It might do for some bloaks as come there and was too miserable to look arter their a'pence, but he'd see 'em all—first before they fiddled him out of a farden.

1874, James Greeenwood, The Wilds of London, page 129

Now I tell yer straight, I don't call it square for two big bloaks like us to tackle [i.e., steal from] one poor woman, and she a widder, and p'raps as 'ard up as us; it isn't English.

1892, John Pennington Marsden, “A Professional Secret”, in Job Lot: Sketches and Stories, Philadelphia, Pa.: Hallowell & Co., […], page 177

Mr Clevver comes up then. Hes stanning there waching the salting bloak' and hes hummering to his self a littl.

2012, Russell Hoban, Riddley Walker, page 57