fruiter
(ˈfruːtə(r))
[orig. a. F. fruitier, f. fruit; later prob. independently f. fruit n. or v. + -er1.]
† a. One who deals in, or has the care of fruit. b. A vessel engaged in the fruit-trade. c. A tree that produces fruit. d. A fruit-grower.
| a 1483 Liber Niger in Househ. Ord. (1790) 22 Besides the fruter and waferer. c 1500 Cocke Lorell's B. (Percy) 9 Fruyters, chese-mongers, and mynstrelles. 1667 Canterbury Marriage Licences 31 July (MS.) William Settertree of Brooke..fruiter. 1860 A. Cumming in Merc. Marine Mag. VII. 102 Let them swing to one anchor..(as the fruiters do at St. Michael's). 1870 Harper's Mag. XLI. 864 A man can't bring into port..a fruiter from the Levant, with Portuguese and Greeks before the mast. 1882 Gard. Chron. No. 421. 79 The former is a handsome variety of medium growth, and a sure fruiter. 1887 J. E. M{supc}Gowan Chattanooga & Tennessee 35 The fruiter, farmers and truckers have now more capital for their business. |