Also 4 styrer, 5 sterer, 6 stirrer, 7 stearer. [f. STEER v.1 + -ER1.]
† 1. A rudder. Obs.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XI. xi. (1535), 169/2. And in swymmynge he [the swan] vseth that one fote in stede of an oore, and the other in stede of a styrer [pro gubernaculo], and ruleth hym selfe therwith.
1633. Drumm. of Hawth., Entert. K. Chas., Sp. Caledonia i. 58. Being to themselves Oares, Steerers, ship and all.
b. ‘A machine for controlling the rudder of a boat or yacht’ (Cent. Dict. Suppl., 1909).
c. (See quot.)
1895. Headley, Struct. Birds, vi. 153. The large tail feathers are called rectrices or steerers.
2. One who steers, a steersman; a coxswain (of a rowing boat).
1585. Higins, Junius’ Nomencl., 515/1. Gubernator,… the gouernor, director, or pilot of the ship: the sterneman or stirrer.
1675. Hobbes, Odyss. (1677), 153. A sudden blast … breaks the cordage that upheld the mast; Which falling down beats out the steerers brains.
1868. Field, 28 Nov., 445/2. Though repeatedly urged by his steerer, he [the oarsman] seemed quite unable to quicken.
1887. J. Thomson, in J. B. Thomson, Mem., ix. (1896), 198. But when contrary or violent winds rise then the steerer is helpless.
fig. 1659. Pearson, Creed, i. 36. Thus appears the Maker to be the steerer of this great ship [the world].
1730. Swift, Ep. Ld. Carteret, 59. There’s not a better Steerer in the Realm, I hope, my Lord, you’ll call him to the Helm.
3. U.S. slang. A swindler whose business it is to lead his victims to the rendezvous. Also, see quot. 1910.
1883. [cf. bunko-steerers s.v. BUNKO].
1889. Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch, 6 Sept. The [gambling-] place was full of players, who got there by means of ‘steerers’ sent out for the purpose.
1905. Blackw. Mag., Jan., 137/1. ‘Steerers’ and ‘boosters’ [of gambling-hells] were always on the look-out for ‘suckers,’ whom they encountered at the railway-stations, at the hotels, or even in the streets.
1910. N. Y. Evening Post, 10 Jan. (Thornton, Amer. Gloss.). A steerer is the go-between of the shyster and prisoner; by wile and guile he brings clients to the lawyer.
4. That directs its course: a. of a ship with adj. referring to its power of answering to the helm or rudder.
1887. Times (weekly ed.), 19 Aug., 4/1. The ship is a bad steerer and her speed is not very great.
1901. Daily Tel., 18 March, 7/4. Dr. Warre’s model [of a rowing boat] … is also a very quick steerer, for her rudder is not 7 inches long.
b. of a cycle, with prefix indicating the position of its steering-wheel.
1883. Wheel World, March, 185. [Tricycles] Two rear-steerers…. A front-steerer.
1888. Encycl. Brit., XXIII. 559/2.
