Also 8 yamsheek, 9 yems(t)chick, -schik, yamshik. [Russ. яащикъ, f. яаъ YAM2.] The driver of a post-horse.
1753. Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. II. xii. 56. It was so worded as to signify either post-horses or yamsheeks.
[1833. R. Pinkerton, Russia, 21. The peasantry … furnish the horses, and each drives his own. They are called yamstchiki.]
1855. Englishw. in Russia, 40. The yell of the yemstchick inciting his team to greater speed.
1896. ‘H. S. Merriman,’ Sowers, xxiv. Paul … driving with both hands and extended arms, after the manner of Russian yemschiks.
1911. Encycl. Brit., XXV. 15/1. Parties … of yamshiks—a special organization of Old Russia entrusted with the maintenance of horses for postal communication.
