Pl. -men. Also erron. 6–7 tynker-, 7–8 tin(c)kerman. See also TINKLERMAN. [f. TRINKER: cf. FISHERMAN.] A man who fishes with a trink (see TRINK sb.1); the title of a class of fishermen on the Thames.
1538. City of London Recds., Jrnl. 14 lf. 111 (MS.). Fyrst yt ys agreed that the Trynkermen shal begynne to occupye theyre occupacion at Saynt James day.
1542. Lett. & Pap. Hen. VIII., XVII. 15. Considerations why the trynker men cannot save small brood and fry of fish.
1584. Tynkermen [see brink-net, TRINK sb.1 d].
1615. [see TRINKER-boat].
1720. Strype, Stow’s Surv. (1754), I. I. vii. 34/1. Whereas there are a certain Company of Fishermen, called Trinkermen (or Tynkermen) frequenting the River of Thames, eastward.
1868. in Windsor Express, 22 Aug. The old fishermen—‘trinkermen’ as they are termed—in the tidal way are praying devoutly for a continuance of rain.
