online medical dictionary | definition of haberdasher

1. A dealer in small wares, as tapes, pins, needles, and thread; also, a hatter. "The haberdasher heapeth wealth by hats." (Gascoigne)

2. A dealer in drapery goods of various descriptions, as laces, silks, trimmings, etc.

Origin: Prob. Fr. Icel. Hapurtask trumpery, trifles, perh. Through French. It is possibly akin to E. Haversack, and to Icel. Taska trunk, chest, pocket, G. Tasche pocket, and the orig. Sense was perh, peddler's wares.

(01 Mar 1998)