ˈchamber-master
1. A name given in the shoemaking trade, to a shoemaker who works in his own house, executing contracts for the shops, or disposing of the produce of his work to them.
| 1851 Mayhew Lond. Lab. (ed. 2) II. 343 The chamber-master in the shoe trade making up his own materials. 1888 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 3 Feb. 284/2 Even in first grade boots, a certain amount of work..is given out by the shopkeeper to contractors, called ‘chamber-masters’. |
2. A furrier who obtains skins from the wholesale trader and makes them up at home or on his own premises.
| 1901 Daily Chron. 4 Dec. 9/2 Chambermasters and cutters wanted for hare work. |
Hence chamber-master v., -ing vbl. n.
| 1851 Mayhew Lond. Lab. II. 353 Now, three daughters, my wife, and myself work together in chamber-mastering. |