haggler
(ˈhæglə(r))
[f. haggle v. + -er1.]
One who haggles. Cf. also higgler.
† 1. A clumsy, awkward workman; a bungler. Obs. exc. dial.
| 1577 Stanyhurst Descr. Irel. in Holinshed (1807–8) VI. 5 As neere the pricke as you are, and as verie an hagler as I am, yet the scantling shall be mine. c 1589 Theses Martinianæ D ij, Alas poore haglers, their fathers are too yoong to outface the least of your sonnes. 1607 Dekker & Webster Westw. Hoe ii. ii, Will you, like a haggler's arrow, be down the weather? strike whilst the iron is hot. 1847–78 Halliw., Hagler, a bungler. Var. dial. |
2. One who haggles or stickles in making a bargain or coming to terms.
| 1602 Dekker Satirom. Wks. 1873 I. 245 Thy Muse is a hagler, and weares cloathes upon best-be-trust. 1611 Cotgr., Cagueraffe, a base micher, scuruie hagler, lowsie dodger. 1698 Vanbrugh æsop ii. Wks. (Rtldg.) 373/2 Twenty shillings more, twenty shillings less, is not the thing I stand upon. I'se no hagler, gadswookers! 1883 S. C. Hall Retrospect II. 502 [He] was anything but a haggler about the prices he paid. |
3. An itinerant dealer; a huckster; = cadger 1, 2. b. (See quot. 1851.)
| 1602 Act Com. Counc. Lond. 6 July in Stow's Survey v. xxix. (1754) II. 511/1 The open Streets..ought to be used..for open Passage..and not for Hucksters, Pedlars, and Haglers to stand and sit to sell their Wares in. a 1661 Fuller Worthies i. (1662) 278 Dorsers are Peds or Panniers carried on the backs of Horses, on which Haglers use to ride and carry their Commodities. a 1697 Aubrey Nat. Hist. Surrey (1719) II. 208 These Rounds of the Haglers..are not incompatible with a daily Market. a 1700 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, A Hagler, one that Buys of the Country-Folks, and Sells in the Market, and goes from Door to Door. 1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour I. 79 A ‘haggler’ being..the middle-man who attends in the fruit and vegetable-markets, and buys of the salesman to sell again to the retail dealer or costermonger. |