[f. CAR sb. + MAN.] A man who drives a car; a carter, carrier. Also name of one of the London City Companies.
1580. Baret, Alv., C 146. A carman or carter.
1598. B. Jonson, Ev. Man in Hum., III. ii. Serue … in Thames-street, or at Custome-house key, in a ciuill warre against the carmen.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, 26. That no Car-men turne or tumble down their Bricks.
1735. in Swift’s Lett. (1768), IV. 141. I promise … to send the paper by the carman.
1880. Times, 15 Nov., 6/2. The carman who drove me … to Ballinroe.
1887. Whitaker’s Almanack, 309/1. The fee for taking up freedom by purchase in the Carmen’s Company is £9 15s.
