† ˈbatler Obs. rare—1.
in mod. edd. of Shakespeare batlet.
[f. battle v.4 + -er1; or ? dim. f. bat n.2 + -let.]
Probably, a ‘beetle’ for battling clothes: see battle v.4
| 1600 Shakes. A.Y.L. ii. iv. 49 And I remember the kissing of her batler. [1865 Reader 29 Apr. 481/3, I lately picked up in an old house in Yorkshire a ‘batlet,’ such as Touchstone kissed when in love.] |