dragsman

Noun

dragsman (plural dragsmen)

1. (historical) A driver of a carriage, coach, or drag, for public transport, private hire, or as a household servant; coachman.
   • Some years since, on a journey into Kent, and sitting on the box beside the dragsman, I was surprised to see him turn out of a fine piece of road which had the most moderate, and, in my idea, most insignificant slope, in order to whip his horses over a deep and fresh laid piece of gravel.1829, John Lawrence, The Horse in All His Varieties and Uses, page 198
   • The man was of the old school and held a very poor opinion, so her papa said, of the new flashman types—men like Gunnet, who despite his coarse features was one of Mr Cameron's most elegant dragsmen.1995, Margaret Thomson Davis, The Dark Side of Pleasure, →ISBN
2. (obsolete) One who races horses; an amateur jockey.
   • Even those who make the best use of our system of education, and whose accomplishments at quitting college are not confined to being a capital rower and a " prime dragsman," learn very little or nothing that is of use to them in after life ;1830, Samuel Beazley, Edward Bulwer Lytton Baron Lytton, The Oxonians: A Glance at Society - Volume 1, page 75
   • He could make as good a book as most men, throw a main, and play a fair game of whist ; was a very pretty dragsman, and could fight a few.1840, W. Massie, Fitzwiggins, by the author of 'Sydenham'., page 52
3. (historical) A thief who cuts the luggage from carriages.
   • In consequence of the great improvement in the make of travelling carriages, there are now few opportunities for the dragsman to exercise his calling in cutting off trunks fastened behind those vehicles, so that the thieves who have a preference for this mode of plunder, are now constrained to...1833, Old Bailey Experience, page 423
   • he had a word for the hostler about that “gray mare,” a nod for the “shooter” or guard, and a bow for the dragsman;1862, William Makepeace Thackeray, The Adventures of Philip on His Way Through the World Showing who Robbed Him, who Helped Him, and who Passed Him by
4. One who drags a body of water in search of something that is submerged.
   • Ten figures of eight cut in five minutes -- ice broken -- dreadful catastrophe -- a score of skaiters fell in -- Humane Society called out -- Drags and dragsmen in full cry.1827 January 1, “Quadrille Conversations”, in The New Monthly Magazine and Literary Journal, volume 19
   • After several hours' labour in the deep and fast-flowing waters of the Suir, the dragsmen struck upon a body that was lying still at the bottom of the river, about two hundred yards from the place where the hat was found, and a short way from the shore.1860, Bentley's Miscellany - Volume 48, page 179
5. One who moves the carts or sledges at a mine; a putter.
   • On the coal being detached in the manner above described, a corve, tub, or basket, is then brought to the spot on a four-wheeled train, by a man and boy, technically called a " dragsman and foal," and when filled with the scattered fragments, it is dragged to the bottom of the shaft, hooked to the...1834, Charles Knight, The Penny Magazine of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, page 127
   • A rope in front of each was for the use of the crew as dragsmen1877, “Sledge-Life in the Arctic Regions”, in All the Year Round, page 251
6. One who lays down the scent trail for a hunt.
   • The country to be ridden over is selected the day before the run by the huntsman, who walks over the whole line with the dragsman, the legitimacy of the trail being assured by no mark of any kind being left on the line except on fences in which there is barbed wire.1898, Country Life Illustrated - Volume 3, page 582
   • The dragsman, if regularly employed, may also help about horses and kennels, and work "by the run" (at $5); or for so much per month, or the kennelman may also lay drag, and will be glad of the chance, if an active fellow, as he must be.1902, Francis M. Ware, First-hand Bits of Stable-lore, page 286