ˈwasherman
[f. washer n.1 + man n.]
A man whose occupation is the washing of clothes.
‘Chiefly designating the Chinese laundryman of the U.S. and the Asiatic native washer of clothes.’—N.E.D.
| 1715 J. Stevens Hist. Persia 77 His Beauty and Wealth made the Washerman sensible that the Parents must be great. 1743 Bulkeley & Cummins Voy. S. Seas 126 William Callicutt, Washerman. 1810 T. Williamson E. Ind. Vade Mecum I. 244 The Doby, or washerman, is also exclusively a domestic, washing for only one family. 1874 L. J. Trotter Hist. India Introd. 10 Each village kept..its own..schoolmaster, washerman, goldsmith, [etc.]. 1888 Bryce Amer. Commw. III. iv. lxxxi. 71 One trade, however, the Chinese are permitted to follow, and have now almost monopolized, that of washermen. |