dabster

American  

[dab-ster] / ˈdæb stər /

noun

1. Slang. an expert.

2. Informal. a person who works in a superficial or clumsy manner; dabbler.

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dabster British  

/ ˈdæbstə /

noun

1. a dialect word for dab hand

2. informal an incompetent or amateurish worker; bungler

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Etymology

Origin of dabster

First recorded in 1700–10; dab ³ + -ster

Example Sentences

I'm something of a dabster at law myself, and I'll see that Kitsong don't railroad you into jail.

From They of the High Trails by Garland, Hamlin

“It was the best I could do, Cleek—I’m not a dabster in the art of making up, as you know.”

From Cleek of Scotland Yard Detective Stories by Hanshew, Thomas W.

"You've allus been braggin'," gulped Hiram, "what a dabster you was at cookin', havin' been to sea and—" "Me—me?" demanded the Cap'n, slugging his own breast ferociously.

From The Skipper and the Skipped Being the Shore Log of Cap'n Aaron Sproul by Day, Holman

He became a dabster at tucking paper napkins into his neat little waistcoat without tearing them.

From The Innocents A Story for Lovers by Lewis, Sinclair

Everybody has to bowl for him, and he thinks he’s such a dabster with the bat, but he’s a regular muff.

From Burr Junior by Earnshaw, H. C. (Harold C.)