1740. Lewis Theobald, "Preface" in The Works of Shakespeare: […] , Second Edition, Vol. I. London: H. Lintott et al.. p. 24 f. Hence, many Pieces were taken down in Short-hand, and imperfectly copied by Ear, from a Repreſentation: Others were printed from piece-meal Parts ſurreptitiouſly obtain'd from the Theatres, uncorrect, and without the Poet's Knowledge.
Source: wiktionary