cadger

noun

cadg·​er
ˈka-jər
plural -s
Synonyms of cadgernext
1
chiefly Scottish : carrier
especially : a dealer who takes dairy produce to the towns and town wares to the country
2
chiefly Scottish : an itinerant huckster or street seller
3
: one that cadges
a most celebrated cadger of drinksAllan Temko
4
[cadge entry 2 + -er] : one that carries hawks on a cadge

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cadgear, from caggen, cagen to tie + -ear, -er -er; perhaps from the hitching of the horse used for transporting wares

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cadger was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Cadger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cadger. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

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