sutler

[ suht-ler ]

noun

1. (formerly) a person who followed an army or maintained a store on an army post to sell provisions to the soldiers.

sutler

/ ˈsʌtlə /

noun

1. (formerly) a merchant who accompanied an army in order to sell provisions to the soldiers

Derived Forms

• ˈsutlerˌship, noun

Other Words From

• sutler·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sutler¹

1580–90; < early Dutch soeteler (now zoetelaar ), equivalent to soetel ( en ) to do dirty work, work poorly (akin to soot ) + -er -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sutler¹

C16: from obsolete Dutch soeteler, from Middle Low German suteler, from Middle High German sudelen to do dirty work; related to soot , seethe

Example Sentences

It was reported that he had once held the post of sutler in a regiment of Eastern troops.

From Project Gutenberg

So the name of a street has become the much-berated canteen of the sutler and the much needed canteen of the soldier.

From Project Gutenberg

Next to a Sutler, or a conceited, fresh young Aid, the soldiers always delighted to see a Wagonmaster get into trouble.

From Project Gutenberg

Frequently he walked some distance from the fort, going out towards the sutler's house, where he sometimes had business.

From Project Gutenberg

At last a fine day dawned, and shortly after noon Osceola saw from his hiding place two men approaching the sutler's house.

From Project Gutenberg