tapster
nounEtymology Inherited from Middle English tappestere, from Old English tæppestre (“barmaid”), equivalent to tap + -ster.
1
Archaic One whose business is to tap or draw ale or other liquor.
- […] A tapster is a good trade: an old cloak makes a new jerkin; a withered serving-man a fresh tapster.c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
- There is a Twin-brother to this Falſe-galloper, and hee cheats Inne-keepers onely, or their Tapſters, by learning firſt what Country-men they are, and of what kindred: and then bringing counterfeit letters of commendations from ſuch an Vncle, or ſuch a Coozen (wherein is requeſted, that the Bearer thereof may bee vſed kindely) […]1609, Thomas Dekker, “Lanthorne and Candle-light. Or, The Bell-man’s Second Nights-walke. […] The Second Edition, […]: Jacke in a Boxe. […]”, in Alexander B[alloch] Grosart, editor, The Non-dramatic Works of Thomas Dekker. […] (The Huth Library), volume III, London; Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire: […] [Hazell, Watson, & Viney] for private circulation only, published 1885, →OCLC, pages 292–293:
2 more examples
- About the ſecond VVatch, a general Complaint of Drovvth vvas made both by the Priſoner and his Keepers. Among vvhom it vvas at last agreed, that the Conſtable ſhould remain on Duty, and the young Fellovv call up the Tapſter; in which Diſpoſition the young Fellovv apprehended not the leaſt Danger, as the Conſtable vvas vvell armed, and could beſides eaſily ſummon him back to his Aſſiſtance, if the Priſoner made the leaſt Attempt to gain his Liberty.1742, Henry Fielding, “The Escape of the Thief. […]”, in The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews, and of His Friend Mr. Abraham Adams. […], volume I, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book I, page 100:
- 1878, John Payne, Introduction, in François Villon, Poems, translated by John Payne, New York: Boni & Liveright, c. 1918, p. 33, […] in a twinkling the accomplished sharper changes the pitchers and pretending to examine the contents, asks the tapster what kind of wine he has given him […]