What does poulter mean?
A poulter is an old word for a person who sold poultry. In historical English, the term could refer to a dealer who traded in birds and, more broadly, to a shopkeeper who sold poultry alongside other provisions. The related form poulterer became the more familiar occupational word, while poulter survives in expressions such as “poulter's shop” and in historical records. The word carries an archaic atmosphere, often suggesting a traditional market trade or an early neighborhood food shop. Today it is chiefly useful in reading older literature, studying occupational vocabulary, or understanding period details of food distribution. Although it is no longer usual in everyday speech, it preserves a vivid piece of social and commercial history: food sellers were once identified by the specific goods they handled.
nounAn archaic term for a dealer or seller of poultry, especially a shopkeeper who sold poultry and other provisions.
- A dealer or seller of poultry.
- A shopkeeper or trader who sold poultry, especially in historical English usage.
"The poulter's shop was open before sunrise, when the day's birds were brought in from the surrounding farms."
"The old poulter displayed geese and ducks in the window."
"The record names him as a poulter, suggesting that he traded in poultry."
The plural is occasionally found in historical texts; “poulterers” is also used when emphasizing the occupation.
"The market directory listed several poulters near the church."
A poulter was once the keeper of the neighborhood poultry shop, an ancestor of today's specialist food sellers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does poulter come from?
The word developed in Middle English from Anglo-French forms related to Old French terms for poultry and poultry dealers. Its vocabulary ultimately belongs to the same broad family as poultry and pullet, both associated with the Latin word pullus, meaning a chicken or young bird. The occupational suffix in poulterer reflects the later English form of the trade noun.
Related word forms
How poulter is actually used
Archaic and historical. It is chiefly encountered in older texts, records, occupational names, and the established expression “poulter's shop”; modern speakers usually say “poulterer” or “poultry seller.”