Etymology From draw (“to move by pulling”) + -er; compare French tiroir. Attested from the 16th century.
1
An open-topped box that can be slid in and out of the cabinet that contains it, used for storing clothing or other articles.
He knelt down and began shoving the drawer into the slot; the rail was misaligned so he banged it with the heel of his hand. It stuck.2008, Jesmyn Ward, Where the Line Bleeds, Bloomsbury (2018), page 144:
The step-ins are of two sorts; the knicker combination with open bloomer and chemise top; and circular drawer style, with chemise top and gussets at back and front that give extra width at the bottom.1918, The Corset and Underwear Review, volume 12, page 74:
Customers in the underwear department at MacDougal-Southwick’s, on the other hand, have evinced quite an interest in the French drawer style, with binding in contrasting color and the separate vests also bound in the contrasting color.1922, The Underwear & Hosiery Review, volume 5, page 67, column 2:
4 more examples
Today men of every age are turning to the athletic pull-over shirt and drawer type of underwear.1930 April 26, directed by Amos Parrish, “What’s In Fashion: Underwear For Men”, in The Pittsburgh Press, volume XLVI, number 305, Pittsburgh, Pa., page ten, column 4:
Men’s Balbriggan Shirts and Drawers / 50ᶜ ea. / For the man who wants the shirt-and-drawer type of underwear but, naturally, wants lightweight now.1935 May 4, “Hand-Picked Bargains–from a Store full of them!”, in Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, N.Y., page 3, column 3:
Leloir described les calecons, drawer-type undergarment worn by French ladies (wc).1988, Nell DuVall, Domestic Technology: A Chronology of Developments, Boston, Mass.: G. K. Hall & Co., →ISBN, page 366:
The Sikh code of conduct does not restrict how Sikhs dress, except that they must wear kashera (drawer-type, cotton tie-able underwear) and a turban.2023, Gian Singh Sandhu, Who Are the Sikhs?: An Exploration of the Beliefs, Practices, & Traditions of the Sikh People, Bloomington, Ind.: Archway Publishing, →ISBN:
Lawyers for Mr. Abbott argued that the maps were drawn to help Republicans maintain power but not to discriminate, and that drawers did not know where district offices were located.2012 August 28, Manny Fernandez, “Federal Court Finds Texas Voting Maps Discriminatory”, in NYTimes.com:
Wanted: discreet drawer of royal bath [title] ... [T]he successful applicant for the role of "housekeeping assistant" mus also be prepared for rather less conventional tasks; such as running the Queen's bath and cleaning her priceless antiques.2014 January 25, Gordon Rayner, “Wanted: discreet drawer of royal bath: Buckingham Palace is seeking a housekeeping assistant for H team – just don't volunteer to change the light bulbs [online version: Wanted: an enthusiastic and proactive individual to run the Queen’s bath, 24 January 2014]”, in The Daily Telegraph, page 9:
2
An artist who primarily makes drawings.
3
Banking, Business One who writes a bank draft, check/cheque, or promissory note.
There is no doubt that the stipulation of nonguarantee of an acceptance inserted in a bill of exchange by the drawer has the effect of excluding the liability of guarantee for the indorsers as well as for the drawer.1913, United States Congressional Serial Set, volume 6526, page 276:
4
A barman; a person who draws the beer from the taps.
When the good lieutenant applied himself to the door, he applied himself likewise to the bell; and the drawer immediately attending, he dispatched him for a file of musqueteers and a surgeon.1749, Henry Fielding, chapter XII, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book VII:
He came down to the Pied Horse Inn, where I was a drawer, at Newmarket, twice.1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard:
5
Someone who taps palm sap for making toddy.
A turban and loincloth soaked in blood had been found; also a staff. These properties were known to have belonged to a toddy drawer. He had disappeared.1927, F. E. Penny, chapter 4, in Pulling the Strings: