drysaltern.

1707 London Gaz. No. 4352/4 John Lawford, late of London, Dry-Salter.

1725 D. Defoe Compl. Eng. Tradesman I. iv. 44 A. B. was bred a dry-salter... As a salter, A. B...understands very well the buying of cocheneal, indigo, gauls, shumach, logwood, fustick, madder, and the like.

1790 W. Fordyce A Let. conc. Muriatic Acid 7 (T.) I heard by accident of a drysalter, who had acquired a great reputation and a large fortune from possessing a secret that enabled him to send out to the Indies, and other hot countries, beef and pork, in a better state of preservation than any of the trade.

1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) Dry-salter, a person dealing in various articles for dyeing (not in pickles, according to Mr. Todd).

1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lxi. 555 There was scarce one of the ladies that hadn't a relation a peer, though the husband might be a drysalter in the City.

1891 Labour Commission Gloss. Drysalter, one who deals in drugs, oils, potted meats, gums, etc.

1896 Kelly's Post Office London Directory 1816 Drysalters. See also Druggists—Wholesale; also Gum Merchants; also Indigo Merchants; also Merchants—General; also Oil and Color Men.