A thief who picks locks, or makes and uses false keys; (more generally) a burglar, a housebreaker.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in James Vaux (1782–c1841). From either the genitive or the plural of screw + man, probably after cracksman, etc.
Definition of screwsman in US English:
screwsman
nounˈskruːzmən
criminals' slang
A thief who picks locks, or makes and uses false keys; (more generally) a burglar, a housebreaker.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in James Vaux (1782–c1841). From either the genitive or the plural of screw + man, probably after cracksman, etc.