[f. BUZZ v.1 + -ER1.]
1. An insect that buzzes. Also fig.
1606. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. III. i. (1623), 311. Swarms of busie Buzzers.
1611. Cotgr., Bourdonneur, a hummer, a buzzer.
1834. Wilson, in Blackw. Mag., XXXV. 1006. To keep the buzzers from settling round his eyes.
1847. Fraser’s Mag., XXXVI. 524. Greek and Latin literature have been blown upon by the buzzers of metre.
† 2. A private obtruder of tales. Obs.
1602. Shaks., Ham., IV. v. 90. Her Brother … wants not Buzzers to infect his care With pestilent Speeches of his Fathers death.
3. A steam apparatus for making a loud buzzing noise as a signal; cf. hummer, hooter.
1870. Echo, 17 Jan. Two … steam alarm whistles or ‘buzzers’ were fixed on Saturday.
1872. J. S. Jeans, Western Worthies, 95. No sounds of the ponderous hammer, or screeching ‘buzzer,’ are to be heard within the range of their pellucid course.
1885. Daily News, 2 Oct., 2/1.
