searcher

noun

search·​er
-chə(r)
plural -s
1
: one that searches
a searcher after knowledge
2
: a person (as an inspector, looker, tracer) employed to search: such as
a
: a guild official formerly functioning as an inspector to maintain standards of workmanship and quality
b
: an officer of the customs who examines (as ships, merchandise, luggage) for dutiable goods or contraband
c
archaic British : coroner
d(1)
archaic : a civil officer appointed to observe and report objectionable conduct
(2)
: a minor police officer appointed to search persons arrested
e
: a person employed (as by a title insurance company) to search public records
f
: a kosher examiner who looks for evidence of contamination in freshly killed animals
3
: an implement (as a probe) used in searching : seeker
4
: a large metallic blue-green North American ground beetle (Calosoma scrutator) that feeds on caterpillars

Word History

Etymology

Middle English serchere, from serchen to search + -ere -er

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Cite this Entry

“Searcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/searcher. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

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