fowler
(ˈfaʊlə(r))
[OE. fuᵹelere, agent-n. f. fuᵹelian to fowl.]
1. One who hunts wild birds, whether for sport or food, esp. with nets; a bird-catcher. Now rare.
| c 893 K. ælfred Oros. i. i. §14 Ðær huntan ᵹewico don oþþe fisceras oþþe fuᵹeleras. a 1225 St. Marher. 3 As þe fuhel þe is fon i þe fuheleres grune. 1382 Wyclif Amos iii. 5 Wher a brid shal falle into grane of erthe, withouten a fouler. c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. Prol. 138 The foweler we deffye, And al his crafte. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems 186 A bleryeed fowler trust not though he wepe. 1657 W. Coles Adam in Eden 305 Boyes and Fowlers use the Berries [of the Ash] as Baites to catch Blackbirds, etc. 1723 Lond. Gaz. No. 6222/9 Simon Teatford..Fisher and Fowler. 1815 Elphinstone Acc. Caubul (1842) I. 77 Fowlers catching quails among the wheat. 1879 Jefferies Wild Life in S.C. 296 A fowler..had a cock chaffinch in a cage covered with a black cloth. |
| fig. 1340 Ayenb. 254 Þe herte ualþ ofte into þe grines of the uoȝelere of helle. |
| Comb. 1685 Crowne Sir C. Nice Epil., There fowler-like the watching gallant pores Behind his glove. |
† 2. A species of catapult.
Obs.| 1420 Siege Rouen in Archæol. XXI. 52 A stronge fowlere there was leyde lowe..that he miȝt throwe. |
† 3. A kind of light cannon,
esp. for use on board ship.
Obs. Cf. Du. vogheler, whence
Fr. veuglaire.
| 1548 Privy Council Acts (1890) II. 197 The municions folowing..fowlers of iron xij. 1622 R. Hawkins Voy. S. Sea (1847) 206 Fowlers and great bases in the cage workes. 1642 Sir W. Monson Naval Tracts iii. (1704) 357/1 Fowlers..are Pieces of greatest Importance, after a Ship is Boarded. |