1. The purchase of market commodities (esp. necessary provisions) for the purpose of reselling them in or near the same market at a higher price.
2. The resale of commodities so purchased. • In England, regrating was a criminal offense. — regrater, n. — regrate, vb.
“Regrating is described by [5 & 6 Edw. 6, ch. 14] to be the buying of corn, or other dead victual, in any market, and selling them again in the same market, or within four miles of the place. For this also enhances the price of the provisions, as every successive seller must have a successive profit.” 4 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 158 (1769).
