dial. Also jowder, -ler, chowter, chowder; and (? orig. fem.) jowster, jouster. A fish-hawker (Cornwall, Devonsh.). Also, A hawker or pedlar of any kind.
1550. in Strype, Eccl. Mem. (1721), II. App. QQ. 142 (Cornwall). Item, when the fisher or jowtar bring any fish to the market, that then they sel the same at reasonable prices.
1602. Carew, Cornwall, 131 b. Where plenty of fish is vented to the fish-driuers, whom we call Iowters.
1630. T. Westcote, Devon. (1845), 378. Fishing is a very commodious employment … where they take sufficient … and send by divers called Jouters, into the inland countries.
1809. Monthly Mag., II. 545/2. Chowter.
1848. C. A. Johns, Week at Lizard, 47. The jowsters, or hawkers are miles away.
1857. Kingsley, Two Y. Ago, xiv. Mr. Treluddra, principal ‘jowder,’ i.e fish-salesman, of Aberalva.
1863. C. A. Johns, Home Walks, 187. The majority [of the Lobsters] being purchased at a set rate by the ‘jowders,’ fish salesmen.
1880. W. Cornwall Gloss., Chowter, a female fish-vendor. More commonly jouster. Generally, those who go about the country in carts.
1888. Elworthy, W. Som. Word-bk., Jowder, jowler, a hawker, pedlar.
