[f. COVER v.1 + -ER1.]
1. One who covers.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. VI. 176. Constantyn shal be here cook and couerer of here churche.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., V. vi. (1495), 112. The eye lyddes ben the helers and couerars of the eyen.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Velador … a coueror.
1641. Disc. Pr. Henry, in Harl. Misc., III. 527. No coverer of his thoughts.
1861. Trench, Ep. 7 Ch. Asia, 205. The true coverer of the nakedness of man.
b. A thing that covers; a cover.
1792. Trans. Soc. Arts, X. 142. Then side stones, and a stone coverer were put in.
2. spec. † a. One who covers or roofs building, etc. Obs.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Slate, Helliers or Coverers with Slate.
1764. Antiq., in Ann. Reg., 173/2. Tilers, and other coverers.
b. Mil. He who covers the man in front of him: see COVER v. 12.
1796–7. Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1803), 8–9. When any of those officers or serjeants shift from their proper places,… their coverers occupy such place during their absence, and on their return again resign it.
1832. Prop. Regul. Instr. Cavalry, III. 101. The Standard and his Coverer resume their posts.
1861. Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxf., xliv. (1889), 427. He is covering sergeant of my company, and the smartest coverer we have too.
3. With defining word prefixed, as boat-, bonnet-, flask-coverer, etc.
1723. Lond. Gaz., No. 6172/11. Henry Hunt … Flask-Coverer.
a. 1779. Cook, Voy., VI. IV. ix. (R.). The women … are the … boat-builders or boat-coverers.
1887. Hackney Gaz., 9 Feb., 2/7. Wanted … Bonnet-Coverers—Velvet and beaders.
