smuggler
(ˈsmʌglə(r))
Also 7 smuckellor, smuckler.
[ad. LG. smukkeler, Du. smokkelaar, or LG. smugg(e)ler (G. schmuggler, Sw. smugglare): see smuggle v.1]
1. One who smuggles commodities; esp. one who makes a trade or practice of smuggling.
| 1661 Proclamation 9 Aug., A sort of leud people called Smuckellors, never heard of before the late disordered times, who make it their trade..to steal and defraud His Majesty of His Customs. 1670 Blount Glossogr. (ed. 3), Smuglers, are stealers of Customs; well known upon the Thames. 1740 Wesley Wks. (1872) I. 289 He declared before us all that he was a Smuggler. 1779 Mirror No. 62, He had served with eclat in the corps established for repressing smugglers of tobacco. 1837 Carlyle Fr. Rev. i. vi. iii, Smugglers of salt go openly in armed bands. 1870 F. R. Wilson Ch. Lindisf. 36 It had the reputation..of being the haunt of smugglers. |
| transf. 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. 134 The infectious stuff which is imported by the smugglers of adulterated metaphysics. 1849–50 Alison Hist. Europe VIII. l. §30. 150 An immense annual profit for the behoof of the great Imperial Smuggler in the Tuileries. |
2. A vessel employed in smuggling.
| 1799 Naval Chron. II. 443 The Assistance Smuggler, from Guernsey. 1836 Marryat Pirate, etc. (Rtldg.) 164 This vessel..must be a smuggler. 1894 K. Hewat Little Scottish World i. 12 The casks landed from the smuggler were safely deposited. |
3. attrib. and
Comb., as
smuggler boat,
smuggler devil,
smuggler dogger,
smuggler-hunting.
| 1776 Ann. Reg. 135 His majesty's sloop Princess Anne fell in with a smuggler dogger in the frith of Forth. 1815 Scott Guy M. xlv, Thae smuggler deevils. 1862 Thornbury Turner I. 333 He beat about year after year in all sorts of smuggler boats. 1899 Somerville & Ross Irish R.M. 202 He had taken up the unprofitable task of smuggler-hunting. |