Dictionary entry

Hugger-mugger

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Hug″ger–mug′ger (?), n. [Scot. huggrie-muggrie; Prov. E. hugger to lie in ambush, mug mist, muggard sullen.] Privacy; secrecy. Commonly in the phrase in hugger-mugger, with haste and secrecy.

Many things have been done in hugger-mugger. Fuller.