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

The hostler was quaking visibly, and the Colonel seized her arm as though rescuing a drowning person.

From The Red Debt Echoes from Kentucky by MacDonald, Everett

Now, as soon as he had drank, the hostler called him, as he gave him charge before so to do.

From Amusing Prose Chap Books by Various

Presently Mount came striding back, rifle on shoulder, followed by an hostler with a stable light.

From Cardigan by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)