Hostler

Pronunciation ,

• RP IPA: /ˈ(h)É’s.lÉ™/
• US IPA: /ˈ(h)ɑːs.lÉš/

Alternative forms

• ostler

Origin

Syncopated form of hosteler, from Middle French hostiler, from Old French hostelier, from Latin hostilarius, from hospitalarius, from hospitale "inn", from hospitālis "hospitable", from hospes "host, guest". Both hostler and its alternate form "ostler" originally meant simply "innkeeper", and acquired a specific association with horses in the second half of the 14th century.

Full definition of hostler

Noun

1. A person employed at an inn, hostelry, or stable to look after horses; a groom
2. (by extension) A person employed to care for a locomotive or other large engine.

Synonyms

• groom

Related terms

• hostelry

Anagrams

• holster