† aˈcater, aˈcatour Obs.
Also achatour, achator.
[a. Anglo-Norm. acatour, early OFr. acateor (later OFr. achatour, mod.Fr. acheteur) a buyer:—late L. accaptātōrem, n. of agent f. accaptāre: see Acate. Achatour came to be restricted more to the official title of an officer of the Royal Household; acatour, acater, passed into common use, and was aphetized to catour, cater.]
A purchaser of provisions, a purveyor; a provider or preparer of cates or delicacies; a cater or caterer.
| c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 568 (Camb. MS.) A gentyl Maunciple was þere of a temple, Of whiche acatouris myȝte take exsaumple (Harl. MS. achatours). a 1637 B. Jonson Devil is an Ass i. ii. (? iii.) He is my wardrobe man, my acater, cook, Butler, and steward. |