† Trinker

Obs. [f. TRINK sb.¹ + -ER¹.] a. = TRINK sb.¹ b. = TRINKERMAN. Also in comb. † trinker-boat = trink-boat (see TRINK sb.¹ d).

1

c. 1485. trans. Act 2 Hen. VI., c. 19 (MS. Harl. 4999, lf. 185 b). That the stacioun of nettis and engynes cald Trynkers and al other maner nettis whiche bien … ficched and attached … be al vtterly defended…. Purveied alwey that it be lieful to the possessours of the saide Trynkers … to fisshe with hem … in drawyng and conveiyng bi hande as other fisshers don [cf. TRINK sb.¹ quot. 1423].

2

1615. E. S., Britain’s Buss, in Arb., Garner, III. 650. Those pernicious Trinkermen, who with trinker-boats destroy the river of Thames, by killing the fry and small fish there.

3

So Trinking, the action of fishing with a trink.

4

1689. in Strype, Stow’s Surv. (1754), II. V. xxvii. 480/1. That no Person … use or practice Trincking, Stow-boating, Trawling, or Catching of Fish, or Bait, on the Lord’s-Day … upon Forfeiture of 20 s.

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