▪ I. flesher1 Chiefly Sc.
(ˈflɛʃə(r))
Forms: 4–7 fles(c)har, -ir, -or, -(e)our, 7– flesher.
[f. flesh n. + -er. Cf. Ger. fleischer; also fleshhewer, of which this may be an alteration.]
1. A dealer in flesh, a butcher.
| 1369 Mem. Ripon (1882) I. 137 Joh. de Staynlay, Fleshour. 1483 Cath. Angl. 135/2 A Fleschour, macellarius. 1533 Bellenden Livy iii. (1822) 274 He pullit ane swerde fra ane flescheour. a 1651 Calderwood Hist. Kirk (1843) II. 121 A fleshiour, named Sandersone, had putt away his lawfull wife. 1826 J. Wilson Noct. Ambr. Wks. 1855 I. 186 A bit schachlin ewe-necked powney, coft frae a sporting flesher. 1853 Reade Chr. Johnstone 176 The baddish boy had obtained them [steaks]..at the flesher's. |
| transf. 1533 Bellenden Livy ii. (1822) 160 The pepill had na litill indignacioun that this Marcius suld rise sa haistelie to be thair new fleschour and skurgeare. |
2. U.S. A tool for fleshing hides; a fleshing-knife.
| 1885 C. T. Davis Manuf. Leather 309 The saw-toothed flesher sometimes employed for dry hides. |
Hence ˈfleshery (Sc.) ‘The business of a butcher; now called Fleshing’ (Jam. Suppl. 1825).
| 1483 [see fleshhewery]. 1541 Aberdeen Reg. V. 19 (Jam.), The counsale licent him to vse his craft of fleshary to outred his pennyworths. |
▪ II. † ˈflesher2 Obs.
[f. flesh v.]
An encourager.
| 1646 Gaule Cases Consc. 87 To advise them to prudence..in such a case; is to be reputed..a Favourer and a Flesher of Witches. |