The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Chowder \Chow"der\ (chou"d[~e]r), n. [F. chaudi[`e]re a kettle, a pot. Cf. Caldron.] 1. (Cookery) A dish made of fresh fish or clams, biscuit, onions, etc., stewed together. [1913 Webster] 2. A seller of fish. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell. [1913 Webster] Chowder beer, a liquor made by boiling black spruce in water and mixing molasses with the decoction. [1913 Webster]