[a. F. botaniste; cf. prec. and -IST.] One who studies botany.
a. 1682. Sir T. Browne, Tracts, 61. That diligent botanist Bellonius.
1683. Robinson, in Ray, Corr. (1848), 135. I intend to write to the best botanist … of this, or perhaps any, age.
1770. Gray, in Corr. w. Nicholls (1843), 107. I rejoice to see you are so great a gardener and botanist.
1874. Helps, Soc. Press., iv. 63. The … botanists who come to … be instructed by the plants at Kew.
