arch. [f. SWINK v. + -ER1.] One who swinks; a toiler, laborer.
1340. Ayenb., 90. Yef he deþ workes bodylyche as doþ þise zuynkeres and þise gememen.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 531. With hym ther was a Plowman,… A trewe swynkere and a good was he.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XX. 173. A fayre lye, That serueþ þese swynkeres to seo by a nyghtes.
a. 1450. Tourn. Tottenham, 14. Theder com al the men of the contray,… And all the swete swynkers.
a. 1529. Skelton, El. Rummyng, 105. She maketh therof port sale … To sweters, to swynkers, And all good ale drynkers.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, I. (Arb.), 17. Thee sulcking swincker.
1623. Cockeram, Swynker, labourer [mispr. tabourer].
1886. J. W. Graham, Neæra (1887), I. vi. 74. What do these rough swinkers know of these things?
1893. K. Grahame, Pagan Papers, 105. With most of us who are labourers in the vineyard, toilers and swinkers, the morning pipe is smoked in hurry and fear.
