[f. TOUT v.1 + -ER1.]
1. One who touts or canvasses for customers or clients; = TOUT sb.1 2.
a. 1754. Richardson, Corr. (1804), III. 316. Here [Tunbridge Wells] are a parcel of fellows, mean traders, whom they call touters, and their business touting … riding out miles to meet coaches and company coming hither, to beg their custom while here.
1762. Derrick, Lett. (1767), II. 49. The tradesmen of Tunbridge Wells, who use this silly practice [of waylaying visitors to solicit their custom] are called Tooters or Touters.
1844. Thackeray, Wand. Fat Contrib., i. Touters were about seizing upon the passengers and recommending their hotels.
1881. Nation (N. Y.), XXXII. 397. His performances at Albany as a touter for votes.
2. A spy upon race-horses; = TOUT sb.1 3.
1812. Sporting Mag., XL. 200. A touter, that is, a person who hides up between the furzes on the heath to see the trials of horses.
3. A thief’s scout; = TOUT sb.1 1.
1844. Dickens, Mart. Chuz., xxxvii. Nor did it mark him out as the prey of ring-droppers, pea and thimble-riggers, duffers, touters, or any of those bloodless sharpers, who are, perhaps, a little better known to the Police.
† 4. One who or that which watches: see quot. and cf. TOOTER1 1. Obs.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Tout, an old term for looking out, or keeping a prying watch; whence the revenue cruisers and the customs officers were called touters.
