ˈwoolman Now chiefly Hist.
[f. wool n. + man n.1: cf. MDu. wolman ‘lanarius’.]
A dealer in wool, a wool-merchant.
| 1390 York Memorandum Bd. (Surtees) I. 43 John de Gysburn, wolleman. 1424 Cov. Leet Bk. 84 Joh. Deyster, woleman. 1458 in Hearne's Collect. (O.H.S.) V. 256 Hic jacent Johannes Townsende, quondam..Wolman istius villae [etc.]. 1550 Proclam. Winding of Wools 23 May 1 The Masters & wardens of the company, and felowshippe of the wolmen of the Cytie of London. 1641 Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees) 27 Woolmen dislike and find greate falt with woll that hath much salve or tarre in it. a 1722 Lisle Husb. (1757) 425 When the wool-man was weighing my wool, he shewed me the difference of some fleeces in goodness. 1761 Lond. & Environs VI. 363 Woolmen, a company probably of great antiquity, though they have no charter, and are a community only by prescription. 1912 J. S. M. Ward Brasses 20 The brasses of the woolmen are the finest. 1920 Glasgow Herald 21 Oct. 7 Woolmen, bankers, and journalists were consulted. |