[app. f. COCK v.3 + -ER.] Originally, one who puts hay in cocks, a hay-worker; also, later, a harvest-laborer. (The spelling coker has given rise to the unhistorical conjecture, that the original meaning was ‘a charcoal maker who comes out at harvest-time.’)
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. VI. 13. Canstow … coke for my cokers [v.r. cokares, cokerus] oþer to þe cart picche, Mowe oþer mowen oþer make bond to sheues?
1483. Cath. Angl., 70. Coker, autumpnarius.
1572. Act 14 Eliz., c. 5 § 11. Bee yt also provided, That this Acte nor any thinge therein conteyned do in any wyse extend to any cokers or Harvest Folkes. [So orig. act in Parlt Office; the Inrolment in Chancery has Cockers.]
1832. Ht. Martineau, Hill & Valley, ii. 25. He called to Briggs, one of the cokers.
1847–78. Halliwell, Coker, a reaper. Warw.
1882. Lancash. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Quocker, one who goes harvesting to a distance.
1888. S. O. Addy, Sheffield Gloss. Addenda, Cocker, the man who cocks or coils up hay in a field.
