hostler

American  

[hos-ler, os-ler] / ˈhɒs lər, ˈɒs lər /

Also ostler

noun

1. a person who takes care of horses, especially at an inn.

2. an employee who moves and services trains, buses, or other vehicles after their regular runs or who does the maintenance work on large machines.

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hostler British  

/ ˈɒslə /

noun

1. another name (esp Brit) for ostler

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Other Word Forms

• hostlership noun

Etymology

Origin of hostler

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; variant of hosteler

Example Sentences

The new streets-as-buildings would provide garages at every stop, making disposal of the auto as simple as flinging the reins to the hostler at the local inn.

From Time Magazine Archive

The groom or hostler, a man she had never seen, was standing in the door, eyes wide with fright.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry

Their hostler candidate might have had horse sense to burn, but he hadn't read law.

From The Lash by Lyman, Olin L.

Every time I got the chores done early, I skipped it over to the railroad, till finally the hostler he sees a long-legged boy eating him with his eyes, and he says: "Hello, bub!"

From Plain Mary Smith A Romance of Red Saunders by Phillips, Henry Wallace

I am the only one of his drivers living, and one hostler is living.”

From Stage-coach and Tavern Days by Earle, Alice Morse