Sentence:  The General Fund Court also took exception in 1756 to the habit of 'some Trades' of booking <WSD>'dry-handed</WSD>' masters without taking anything for the general fund. <WSD>Dry-handed</WSD> members were those who did not practise a craft; they included men of all sort of professions and craftsmen of any trade except the one they happened to be entering. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Empty-handed.