Meaning of tapster | Babel Free

Definitions

One whose business is to tap or draw ale or other liquor.

archaic

Examples

“[…] A tapster is a good trade: an old cloak makes a new jerkin; a withered serving-man a fresh tapster.”

“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) […]”

“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.”

“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 […]”

CEFR level