Originally, an informer against those who stole figs, or exported them contrary to lawHence in time it came to signify a talebearer or informer, in general; hence, a parasite; a mean flatterer; especially a flatterer of princes and great men; hence, a deceiver; an impostor. Its most general use is in the sense of an obsequious flatterer or parasite.

To play the sycophant; to flatter meanly and officiously; to inform or tell tales for gaining favor.