▪ I. draper, n.
(ˈdreɪpə(r))
Also 4–5 drapere, 5 -ure, -ar.
[a. AF. draper = F. drapier (13th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), f. drap cloth: see -er2 2.]
1. Orig., One who made (woollen) cloth. Subsequently, A dealer in cloth, and now by extension, in other articles of textile manufacture: often qualified as woollen draper, linen draper.
| 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. v. 123 Þenne I drouȝ me a-mong þis drapers my Donet to leorne. 1377 Ibid. B. v. 255 Bothe mercere & drapere. c 1420 Sir Amadas (Weber) 144 Ther myght..no draper is clothe drawe. 1483 Cath. Angl. 106/2 A Draper, pannarius, trapezata. a 1512 Fabyan Will in Chron. Pref. 3, I Robert Fabyan, citizein and draper of London. 1572 in W. H. Turner Select Rec. Oxford 342 The mercers and wollen drapers shalbe incorporated to one incorporation. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. vi. i. 275 Thus the Draper may sooner sell forty ells of freeze and course cloath, than the Mercer four yards of cloath of gold. 1807 Crabbe Par. Reg. 13 If at the draper's window Susan cast A longing look. |
2. In comb. = -seller: see ale-draper.
Hence ˈdraperess, a female draper.
| 1854 Chamb. Jrnl. I. 226 Almost every man above the rank of a mere daily cultivator has a wife who is groceress, linen-draperess, butcheress, or confectioner. |
▪ II. † ˈdraper, v. Obs. rare.
[a. F. draper to weave, drape.]
1. trans. To weave, make into cloth.
| 1436 Libel Eng. Pol. in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 168 They Cowde never drapere [v.r. drape, draper] here wolle. Ibid. II. 162 [see drape v.1 1]. |
2. intr. or absol. To arrange drapery, to drape.
| 1717 Berkeley Tour in Italy Wks. IV. 523 His [Perugino's] drapering every one knows to [be] of a little gout. |
Hence ˈdrapering vbl. n.; also attrib., as drapering-house, one where cloth is manufactured or sold.
| 1436 [see drape v.1 1]. 1538 Leland Itin. IV. 78 This House is made by one Bell a Drapering House. 1717 [see 2 above.] |