costermonger

American  

[kos-ter-mong-ger, -muhng-, kaw-ster-] / ˈkɒs tərˌmɒŋ gər, -ˌmʌŋ-, ˈkɔ stər- /

noun

1. Also called coster.  a hawker of fruit, vegetables, fish, etc.

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verb (used without object)

1. to sell fruit, vegetables, fish, etc., from a cart, barrow, or stall in the streets.

costermonger British  

/ ˈkɒstəˌmʌŋɡə /

noun

1. rare a person who sells fruit, vegetables, etc, from a barrow

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Etymology

Origin of costermonger

First recorded in 1505–15; earlier costerdmonger; see costard, monger

Example Sentences

“You’re looking especially lovely today, sweetheart,” shouts James Corden’s importunate costermonger from his market stall during The Lady in the Van.

From The Guardian • Nov. 5, 2015

"My granddad was a local costermonger," she says.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2012

For all the royalty and high fashion, the day, as always, belonged to the cockney, the costermonger and the gypsy, swarming over the infield.

From Time Magazine Archive

The bull-dog tenacity permeated all classes; it was shared by the peer, the country squire, the small farmer, the tradesman and the artizan; it was voiced by the Prime Minister, and echoed by the costermonger.

From A Cabinet Secret by Boothby, Guy Newell

The swell and the costermonger all tear along at a frightful pace, and thus secure—what in England some good people are trying to insure—a pleasant Sunday afternoon.

From Crying for the Light, Vol. 3 [of 3] or Fifty Years Ago by Ritchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)