arch. In 1 cunnere, 4 konner, 6–7 cunner, 7– conner. [OE. cunnere, agent-n. from cunnian, ME. CUN to prove, try, examine. Here, as elsewhere (son, won, wonder, etc.), o was written for u before n in ME.] One who tries, tests, or examines; an examiner, inspector; esp. in ALE-CONNER, q.v.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., Matt. iv. 3. Ðe costere vel ðe cunnere cuoeð him.
1467. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 382. Ij ale conners … to se that the ale be good.
1588. in Beveridge, Culross & Tullyallan (1885), I. iv. 127. The saidis beillies & counsall hes chosin cunneris for trying of the samyn.
1611. Cotgr., Taste-vin, A Broker for Wine marchants, a wine-cunner.
1840. Hood, Kilmansegg, clxxiii. Each … Ate and drank of the very best, According to critical conners.
1876. Whitby Gloss., Conner, an overlooker; an exciseman.
