n. [ Scot. huggrie-muggrie; Prov. E. hugger to lie in ambush, mug mist, muggard sullen. ] 1. Privacy; secrecy. Commonly in the phrase in hugger-mugger, with haste and secrecy. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Many things have been done in hugger-mugger. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Confusion; disorder. [ PJC ]

a. 1. Secret; clandestine; sly. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Confused; disorderly; slovenly; mean; as, hugger-mugger doings. [ 1913 Webster ]