sin eater
noun1
Historical A person (usually a man) who is supposed to take sins of a deceased person upon himself by eating a piece of bread or other food laid on or passed across the breast of the corpse.
- A Loafe of bread was brought out, and delivered to the Sinne-eater over the corps.1687, John Aubrey, Remaines of Gentilisme and Judaisme, page 35:
- Related terms
- sin-eating, sin eating