Likedeelern.

Etymology: < Middle Dutch likedeler (in plural) denoting a particular band of privateers active in the late 14th and early 15th cent. (so called on account of their custom of dividing their takings equally among themselves) (Dutch likedeeler , hist.) < Middle Low German līkdēler , līkendēler someone who divides equally, specifically (in plural) denoting the band of privateers < līke like adv. + dēler dealer n., after līkedēlen to divide equally (especially of booty). In quot. 1849 after German Likedeeler, †Liekendeiler (mid 18th cent. as Likedeler, or earlier; < Middle Low German).Compare the following isolated example of a Middle English adverb ylike-deal equally:c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 4158 It [sc. a storm] is na greme of oure gode, ne grefe at vs fallis, Bot þe entring of þe equinox it euire elikedele kyndils. The Middle Low German form līkendēler may show folk-etymological alteration of the first element after līken- , combining form of līke dead body, corpse (see lich n.). In form Likedealer with remodelling after like adj. and dealer n. N.E.D (1902) interpreted the following quotation as showing an earlier borrowing into Middle English, but since the passage is taken from a letter written in Friesland (to the King of England), it is more likely to show the Middle Dutch word:1401 in T. Rymer Fœdera (1709) VIII. 193 Cum ipse..Pyratas, alio Vocabulo Likedelers Nominatos, in suo Stipendio detinet.