body snatcher

noun5

1. •
   A graverobber who steals bodies or body parts.

   • The head of a ring of bodysnatchers who stole the bones of broadcaster Alistair Cooke pleaded guilty yesterday. — 2008
2. •
   (historical) One who sells cadavers to anatomists, surgeons, etc., especially by exhuming corpses from graves, a resurrection man.

   • Body-snatcher, a stealer of dead bodies from churchyards; which are sold to the surgeons and students in anatomy. — 1819
3. •
   One who abducts or controls another's body, such as a slaver, psychic, or human resources agent.

   • A black woman told Carrie not to say master and missis, because you were body-snatchers and slave-drivers. — 1852
4. •
   (UK, slang) A stretcher-bearer.

   • No men could have behaved more admirably than my Imperial bearer companies, or 'body snatchers,' as the men used to call them. — 1917
5. •
   (disapproving, no longer used) One who makes arrests, such as a bailiff or policeman.

   • They proved to be two of those Body-Snatchers, called hired Constables, who were patrolling the Fields. — 1778