† halster Obs. rare—0.
= halsier.
First found in Kersey's ed. of Phillips as a variant of the latter's halsier, and hence in various Dicts.; of the statement of Halliwell and Smyth, that it is a west-country term, no confirmation has been found.
| [1658 Phillips, Halsier, a term in Navigation, he that draws the Halser or Cable wherewith boats are towed along some Channel.] 1706 ― (ed. Kersey), Halsier, or Halster. 1721 Bailey, Halsier, halster. 1731–1800 ― Halser, halster. 1775 Ash, Halster. 1847–78 Halliwell, Halster..West. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Halster, a west-country term for a man who draws a barge along by a rope. |