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

Weigel’s might have been purchased from one of the traveling vendors, or “sutlers,” who followed the armies.

From Seattle Times

League topgallant jury mast sutler barque reef grog.

From Seattle Times

“Well, the rebels says we can’t carry firelocks with their army. Heard this from a sutler. You hear this?”

From Literature

The merchants, called “sutlers,” set up shop at military encampments and sold supplies to soldiers.

From Seattle Times

In a maze of colour and guy-ropes, of tent-pegs and tall spears, of chessplayers and sutlers, of tapestried interiors and of gold plate, Arthur of England had sat down to starve his friend.

From Literature