moonraking

Wool-gathering. "My wits were gone moon - raking. "-Black more: Lorna Doone, ch. xvii. moon-sail, 8. [MOON-RAKER.] Hist. (pl.): The name given to a body of men in Ireland, who commenced about 1880 to enforce the decrees of secret societies by deeds of violence. Their action was chiefly confined to the western counties, and their raids were made at night, whence their name. Their threatening notices were signed "Captain Moonlight." "Taking moonlighters under his direct protection."Saturday Review, Sept. 30, 1882, p. 424.