Now chiefly Hist. [f. WOOL sb. + MAN sb.1: cf. MDu. wolman ‘lanarius.’] A dealer in wool, a wool-merchant.
1390. York Memorandum. Bk. (Surtees), I. 43. John de Gysburn, wolleman.
1424. Cov. Leet Bk., 84. Joh. Deyster, woleman.
1458. in Hearne’s Collect. (O.H.S.), V. 256. Hic jacent Johannes Townsende, quondam … Wolman istius villac [etc.].
1550. Proclam. Winding of Wools, 23 May, 1. The Masters & wardens of the company, and felowshippe of the wolmen of the Cytie of London.
1641. Best, Farm. Bks. (Surtees), 27. Woolmen dislike and find greate falt with woll that hath much salve or tarre in it.
a. 1722. Lisle, Husb. (1757), 425. When the wool-man was weighing my wool, he shewed me the difference of some fleeces in goodness.
1761. Lond. & Environs, VI. 363. Woolmen, a company probably of great antiquity, though they have no charter, and are a community only by prescription.
1912. J. S. M. Ward, Brasses, 20. The brasses of the woolmen are the finest, as they were the richest.
1920. Glasgow Herald, 21 Oct., 7. Woolmen, bankers, and journalists were consulted.
