Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Hocus-pocus

Hocus-pocus , noun

[Probably invented by jugglers in imitation of Latin. Compare Hoax, Hocus.]

1.
A term used by magicians or conjurers in pretended incantations.
2.
A juggler or trickster. [Archaic] — Sir T. Herbert
3.
A magician's trick; a cheat; nonsense. — Hudibras
4.
Obfuscating talk or elaborate but meaningless activity intended to hide a deception or to obscure what is actually happening; verbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way.

Hocus-pocus , transitive verb

To cheat. [Colloquial] — L'Estrange