trapper

American  

[trap-er] / ˈtræp ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that traps.

2. a person whose business is the trapping of animals for their furs.

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trapper British  

/ ˈtræpə /

noun

1. a person who traps animals, esp for their furs or skins

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Etymology

Origin of trapper

First recorded in 1615–25; trap ¹ + -er ¹

Explanation

A trapper is a person who hunts animals using snares or traps. When Europeans first colonized North America, trappers often traded animal furs and skins with Native people. When you imagine a trapper, you may think of Davy Crockett and his famous coonskin cap, made from the skin, fur, and entire tail of a trapped raccoon. Today's trappers may dress differently, but they still hunt or capture animals using a variety of traps. Some trappers work removing garden pests like squirrels and groundhogs, while others hunt for food or fur.

Example Sentences

Mississippi Delta-born Rizzo is a trapper with Coyote, Wildlife and Pest Solutions, which was hired by Torrance in the fall of 2021, city documents show.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2024

Wardens and trappers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and a trapper for El Dorado County responded and found the mountain lion, the sheriff’s office said.

From New York Times • Mar. 24, 2024

“A lot of these hunting theories I call anecdotal,” said Carter Niemeyer, a retired federal and professional wildlife trapper who has used scents to lure animals for north of six decades.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2024

If the American trapper is an endangered species, I say: Good riddance.

From Washington Post • Apr. 7, 2023

I was now dressed and equipped as a trapper, and told them that I was trying to catch up with Mavriva’s outfit, which had gone north in the last days of Grende.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin