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sutler

noun
sut·​ler | \ ˈsət-lər How to pronounce sutler (audio) \

Definition of sutler

: a civilian provisioner to an army post often with a shop on the post
Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about sutler

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Did You Know?

For I shall sutler be / Unto the camp, and profits will accrue, Pistol declares in Shakespeare's Henry V. In 1599, the year the play was first performed, "sutler" was quite new to English. It was adapted from the Dutch word soeteler, which meant about the same thing as our modern term. Even then, sutlers weren't usually the most popular fellows in a military camp, as a further look at the word's history reveals. The Dutch adopted "soeteler" from a Low German word meaning "sloppy worker," which itself traces to an even older verb that meant "to do sloppy work" or "to dirty." Perhaps the snide designation was inspired by the fact that the traditional sutler followed troops and sold them supplies at hugely inflated prices.

Examples of sutler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The event brings re-enactors setting up military and civilian camps that include soldiers, sutlers, musicians and more. — Phil Marty, chicagotribune.com, "Lego art on display in Green Bay, Springfield shows its Pride and more," 25 Apr. 2018 Sutlers, the roving merchants of that time will sell period articles. — Joan Rusek, cleveland.com, "Veterans Day celebrations are on tap: Valley Views," 15 May 2017

First Known Use of sutler

1599, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for sutler

obsolete Dutch soeteler, from Low German suteler sloppy worker, camp cook

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