† hackster Obs. exc. dial.
Also 7 hacster, haxter.
[f. hack v.1 + -ster.]
1. lit. One who hacks, a ‘hacker’ or ‘cutter’; a cut-throat; a swaggering ruffian, swashbuckler.
| 1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 247 b, If God were such a Royster or hackster that would delight in the slaughter of men. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. i. 11 The hackster, that was hired and sent to kill Marius. 1631 R. Brathwait Whimzies, Hospitall-man 45 To bring an old haxter to the exercise of devotion. 1649 Milton Eikon. iii. (1851) 357 Happy times; when Braves and Hacksters..were thought the fittest..to defend his Person. 1658 Cleveland Rustic Rampant Wks. (1687) 475. 1876 Whitby Gloss., Hackster, a murderer; a hewer down of others. |
b. A prostitute's ‘bully’.
| 1607 Chapman Bussy D'Ambois Plays 1873 II. 58 Thou would'st turne Hackster to any whore. |
2. A prostitute. (Cf. hackney n. 4.)
| 1594 Nashe Unfort. Trav. 42 Out whore, strumpet, six penie hackster. 1611 Cotgr. s.v. Danse, Elle s{cced}ait assez de la vieille danse..she hath bin a hackster, a twigger, a good one, in her time. |