ˈtopsman dial. and slang.
Also Sc. taps-.
[f. top's, genitive of top n.1 + man n.1]
1. Sc. and north. dial. A head man, bailiff, principal servant; esp. the chief drover in charge of a herd of cattle on the road.
| 1825 Brockett N.C. Words, Topsman, the head man or manager, the chief hind or bailiff. 1827 Scott Two Drovers i, Many large droves were about to set off for England, under the protection of their owners, or of the topsmen whom they employed. 1844 Stephens Bk. Farm II. 92 Some dealers' top's-men, that is, the men who take charge of their master's lots after delivery. |
2. slang. A hangman. Cf. top v.1 6, headsman.
| 1825 Celebrated Trials IV. 171 R. Turpin..after speaking half an hour to the topsman, threw himself off the ladder, and expired in about five minutes. 1836 Milner Turpin's Ride to York i. iii. (1885) 5/2, I shall never come to the scragging-post, unless you turn topsman. 1883 A. Dobson Old World Idylls 29 Waved to the crowd with his gold-laced hat; Talked to the Chaplain after that; Turned to the Topsman undismayed. |