sb. and a. [f. L. veterīnāri-us (see next) + -AN.]
A. sb. 1. One who is skilled in, or professionally occupied with, the medical and surgical treatment of cattle and domestic animals; a veterinary surgeon.
1645. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 107. The second Assertion, that an Horse hath no gall, is very generall, nor onely swallowed by the people, and common Farriers, but also received by good Veterinarians.
1677. Plot, Oxfordsh., 179. Thus the subtile Veterinarians procure white stars, or other desired marks in the fore-heads of their horses.
1716. M. Davies, Athen. Brit., III. 12. Such were call’d at first … Unguentarians, Emplastrists, Veterinarians, Hippo-Jatrists.
1802. Med. Jrnl., VIII. 271. Mr. Barrier, veterinarian, is said to have observed a disease in dogs, perfectly similar to the small-pox in men.
1844. H. Stephens, Bk. Farm, II. 81. It is … not desirable that you should consider yourself a veterinarian.
1886. E. R. Lankester, Advancem. Sci., iii. (1890), 124. Rabies in a dog is recognised without difficulty by the skilled veterinarian.
† 2. (See quot.) Obs.–0
1655. Blount, Glossogr. (after Cooper), Veterinarian, he that lets Horses or Mules to hire, a Muletor, a Horse-courser, a Hackney-man.
B. adj. = VETERINARY a.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Veterinarian … is also used adjectively.
1716. M. Davies, Athen. Brit., III. 43. Neither is the Collection of the Veterinarian Greek Physicians much less representative of the Series of the old Minor Physical Prophets of Medicinal Greece.
1789. Trans. Soc. Arts, VII. 75. A few remarks on the necessity of … a Veterinarian School.
1861. Times, 11 July, 7/2. This may be a reason why some very eminent veterinarian authority should occupy a place on the bench.
Hence Veterinarianism.
1816. L. Towne, Farmer & Grazier’s Guide, 10. Analogy will often hold good … between the human [maladies], and those which come under the Head of Veterinarianism.
