† 1. One who causes to turn aside; a perverter; an obstructor, hinderer. Obs.
1549. Latimer, Ploughers (Arb.), 33. Not for the continuaunce of the Masse as the blaunchers have blaunched it and wrested it. Ibid., 36. Certeyne blanchers longyng, to the markette, to lette and stoppe the lyght of the Gospel.
† 2. Venery. A person or thing placed to turn the deer from a particular direction. Obs.
1535. R. Layton, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. II. 61. Getheryng up part of the said bowke leiffs … to make him sewells or blawnsherrs to kepe the deere within the woode.
1580. Sidney, Arcadia, 64. Zelmane was like one that stood in a tree waiting a good occasion to shoot, and Gynecia a blancher, which kept the dearest deere from her.
1602. Warner, Alb. Eng., IX. li. (1612), 230.
3. One who starts or balks at (any thing).
a. 1659. Osborn, Q. Eliz., Wks. (1673), 465. So as the wall-eyed blanchers at them [ceremonies] were followed more out of reproach than approbation.
