[f. VINTAGE sb. + -ER.]
1. One who gathers grapes in the vintage; a laborer or worker at the vintage.
1589. Fleming, Virg. Georg., II. 21. The grapes which Lesbian vintager doth crop from Methym vine.
1611. Cotgr., Vendengeur, a Vintager, or vine-reaper.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Vintager, a Vine-reaper, or Grape-gatherer.
1731. Miller, Gard. Dict., s.v. Vitis, Because there are green Grapes that the Vintagers ought not to gather and mingle with the others.
1796. H. Hunter, trans. St.-Pierre’s Stud. Nat. (1799), II. 455. The basket of the vintager, and the apron of the reaper.
1806. W. Taylor, in Ann. Rev., IV. 719. The annual dances of the vintagers, in which they smeared their faces with lees of wine.
1846. Landor, Story of Santander, Wks. II. 464. The officer was … threatening both vintagers and mules for their intractability.
1887. Pater, Imag. Portraits, 167. The sharp sound of a bell—death-bell, perhaps, or only a crazy summons to the vintagers.
fig. 1680. H. More, Apocal. Apoc., 147. They are the same that are pressed here by Christ’s Vintagers or Grape-pressers.
1865. Mozley, Mirac. (ed. 3), i. iii. 207. There dwells an element of prophecy not barely in revealed religion, unfolding itself beneath the fostering care of the divine vintager.
b. transf. Also attrib.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 6. A … hill, abounding in these beasts [sc. monkeys], who are a great hinderance to the poore vintagers of the countrey of Calechut, for they will climbe into the high palm trees,… breaking the vessels set to receiue the Wine.
1829. T. L. Peacock, Misfort. Elphin, 16. From the flower cups of summer on field and on tree Our mead cups are filled by the vintager bee.
1871. Lowell, Study Wind., 7. A dozen of these winged vintagers [sc. robins] bustled out from among the leaves.
2. A bright star in the constellation of Virgo.
After L. vindēmiātor: cf. VINDEMIATRIX.
1588. Ashley, Wagenar’s Mariners Mirr., B j. Præuindemiatrix, The Vintager.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 604. Eleven daies before the Calends of September,… the star named in Latine Vindemiator, i. the Vintager, beginneth to show in the morning.
