swaler n. midl. dial.
(ˈsweɪlə(r))
Also 6 swaller, 8–9 swailer, 9 sweeler.
[f. swale, sweal v. + -er1.]
A dealer in corn: see quots.
| 1597 Manch. Crt. Leet Rec. (1885) II. 130 No swaller that ys a fforrener..shall sell or measure any corne vpon any other daye then vppon the Saturdaye and mundaye. 1743–4 Alstonfield Par. Const. Acc. (E.D.D.), Paid for writing warrants for badgers and swalers to take licenses, {pstlg}00.0.06. 1796 Pegge Derbicisms (E.D.S.), Badger... He is called also a swailer, I suppose from melting or swealing the oats; for the badger or swailer is one that sells oatmeal. 1829 Glover's Hist. Derby I. 198 The people who deal in oatmeal are called swalers or mealmen. 1848 Evans Leicester. Words, Swaler, a person whose trade it is to prepare oats into grits, meal, &c.: from ‘swealing’, or ‘swaling’, i.e., wasting or lessening the grain a little. 1887 Folk-sp. S. Chesh., Sweeler, a dealer in corn. |