To peep; to pry into. It is quite common in the popular language of New England to hear this word, which Dr. Webster supposes to be the same as peep. If it is a corruption, which is doubtful, the examples will show that its use is not modern.
Now whereof he speketh;
He cryeth and he creketh,
He pryeth and he peketh.--Skelton, Colin Cloute, Vol. I. 312.
That other pries and pekes in everie place.--Gascoigne, p. 301.
He's a lazy, good-for-nothin' fellow. He's no better than a peaking mud-sucker.--Margaret, p. 20.