dosser

noun

dos·​ser ˈdä-sər How to pronounce dosser (audio)
plural dossers
British, informal + often disparaging : someone with no established residence : an unhoused person
An increasing number of young dossers are also using trains parked for the night near Victoria station.Andrew North
The young Scottish painter Peter Howson transforms Glasgow dossers (street people) into heroic figures.Art News

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "person frequenting a cheap rooming house," from doss entry 1 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dosser was in 1865

Dictionary Entries Near dosser

Cite this Entry

“Dosser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dosser. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

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