[f. CATER sb.1 or v.1 + -ER1; supplanting the earlier CATER sb.1 (Some words in -erer seem to have been formed, not on verbs, but on the earlier sbs. in -er, or perh. from the nouns of state in -ery; cf. fruiterer, poulterer, sorcerer.)]
1. One who caters or purveys provisions for a household, club, etc.; one who supplies the viands at an entertainment, fête, etc.
[1469. Catourer is printed in Househ. Ord. (1790), 97. But the ed. is untrustworthy, and this portion of the MS. is now lost.]
1592. Nashe, P. Penilesse (ed. 2), 21 a. They drawe out a dinner with sallets … and make Madona Nature their best Caterer. Ibid. (1599), Lent. Stuffe (1871), 83. The Popes caterer … asked what it was he had to sell.
1630. Wadsworth, Sp. Pilg., iii. 29. Sr. Gerard Kemps brother, who is a Caterer to the Colledge.
1752. Johnson, Rambl., No. 206, ¶ 4. The succession of dishes with which their cooks and caterers supply them.
1833. Marryat, P. Simple, xxviii. The marine officer … was the gun-room caterer.
1872. City Press, 20 Jan. The Tallow-chandlers’ Company dined at the hall … Messrs. —— were the caterers.
b. fig.
1618. Brathwait, Descr. Death, vi. Death, is wormes-Caterer.
1697. South, 12 Serm., II. 36. Nature is their Cook, and Necessity their Caterer.
1746–7. Hervey, Medit. (1758), I. 144. All Nature is our Caterer.
1784. Cowper, Task, II. 371. Grand caterer and dry-nurse of the church.
2. gen. One who caters in any way for the requirements of others.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 46, ¶ 2. A Prince is no more to be his own Caterer in his Love, than in his Food.
a. 1723. Mrs. Centlivre, Love at Vent., I. i. I like no caterer in Love’s market.
1877. Manch. Guard., 26 Feb., 7. Caterers for public amusement.
1884. Cassell’s Fam. Mag., March, 243/1. The dress caterers have all their plans laid for the summer campaign.
Hence Caterership, purveyorship.
1830. Marryat, King’s Own, xl. Why don’t you give up the caterership?
