dragsman

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A driver of a carriage, coach, or drag, for public transport, private hire, or as a…

   A driver of a carriage, coach, or drag, for public transport, private hire, or as a household servant; coachman.

   • The man was of the old school and held a very poor opinion, so her papa said, of the new flashman types—men like Gunnet, who despite his coarse features was one of Mr Cameron's most elegant dragsmen.
2. 2

   One who races horses

   One who races horses; an amateur jockey.

   • He could make as good a book as most men, throw a main, and play a fair game of whist ; was a very pretty dragsman, and could fight a few.
   • For the rest, most are men of wit and pleasure, given to gallantry and joking; in the former, their success is notorious; the "bonnes fortunes" of a swell dragsman would shame many a roué in fashionable life.
3. 3

   A thief who cuts the luggage from carriages.

   • he had a word for the hostler about that “gray mare,” a nod for the “shooter” or guard, and a bow for the dragsman;
   • If one of them dragsmen saw my growler stopping' on the road he'll 'ave his shiv to our throats before you can say Jack Horner.'
4. ›+ 3 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      One who drags a body of water in search of something that is submerged.

      • Ten figures of eight cut in five minutes -- ice broken -- dreadful catastrophe -- a score of skaiters fell in -- Humane Society called out -- Drags and dragsmen in full cry.
      • The next day a score of amateur dragsmen were out: some throwing their drags from the bridge; some circulating in boats, and even in large tubs.
   2. 5

      One who moves the carts or sledges at a mine

      One who moves the carts or sledges at a mine; a putter.

      • A rope in front of each was for the use of the crew as dragsmen
      • Not bad, considering we had an inexperienced dragsman, the heavy sledge, and no jill.
   3. 6

      One who lays down the scent trail for a hunt.

      • The dragsman, if regularly employed, may also help about horses and kennels, and work "by the run" (at $5); or for so much per month, or the kennelman may also lay drag, and will be glad of the chance, if an active fellow, as he must be.
      • The unseen dragsman had laid a short and clear opening trail, and the hounds hunted it briskly.

The neighborhood