[f. KNOT v. + -ER1.]
1. One who knots or ties knots; a machine or contrivance for doing this.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 536, ¶ 2. The satisfaction these male-knotters will find, when they see their work mixed up in a fringe [etc.].
1881. Mark Lane Express, 8 Aug., 1076. The string approaches the knotter as the knot is tightened.
1884. Thorley’s Illustr. Farmers’ Almanack, 39. The ‘binder,’… after passing the binding string around the bundle, leaves its end in the grasp of the ‘knotter.’ Finally, this clever device first ties and then cuts the twine band.
1889. in Mackail, W. Morris, I. 316. A carpet-knotter was got from Glasgow to teach the girls the method of working.
2. A person or contrivance employed to remove knots: see quots.
1875. Ure’s Dict. Arts, III. 490. (Manufacture of Paper) The pulp is strained by means of a sieve or ‘knotter,’ as it is called,… having fine slits cut in it to allow the comminuted pulp to pass through, while it retains all lumps and knots.
1893. Labour Commission Gloss., Knotters, young females employed to cut the knots of yarn off the pieces before they undergo the processes of ‘milling’ and ‘finishing.’
