touter
(ˈtaʊtə(r))
[f. tout v.1 + -er1.]
1. One who touts or canvasses for customers or clients; = tout n.1 2.
| a 1754 Richardson Corr. (1804) III. 316 Here [Tunbridge Wells] are a parcel of fellows, mean traders, whom they call touters, and their business touting..riding out miles to meet coaches and company coming hither, to beg their custom while here. 1762 Derrick Lett. (1767) II. 49 The tradesmen of Tunbridge Wells, who use this silly practice [of waylaying visitors to solicit their custom] are called Tooters or Touters. 1844 Thackeray Wand. Fat Contrib. i, Touters were about seizing upon the passengers and recommending their hotels. 1881 Nation (N.Y.) XXXII. 397 His performances at Albany as a touter for votes. |
2. A spy upon race-horses; = tout n.1 3.
| 1812 Sporting Mag. XL. 200 A touter, that is, a person who hides up between the furzes on the heath to see the trials of horses. |
3. A thief's scout; = tout n.1 1.
| 1844 Dickens Mart. Chuz. xxxvii, Thimble-riggers, duffers, touters, or any of those..sharpers,..known to the Police. |
† 4. One who or that which watches: see quot. and cf. tooter1 1. Obs.
| 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Tout, an old term for looking out, or keeping a prying watch; whence the revenue cruisers and the customs officers were called touters. |