[syn: searcher, searcher beetle, Calosoma scrutator]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Searcher \Search"er\, n. [Cf. OF. cercheor inspector.]
One who, or that which, searches or examines; a seeker; an
inquirer; an examiner; a trier. Specifically:
(a) Formerly, an officer in London appointed to examine the
bodies of the dead, and report the cause of death.
--Graunt.
(b) An officer of the customs whose business it is to search
ships, merchandise, luggage, etc.
(c) An inspector of leather. [Prov. Eng.]
(d) (Gun.) An instrument for examining the bore of a cannon,
to detect cavities.
(e) An implement for sampling butter; a butter trier.
(j) (Med.) An instrument for feeling after calculi in the
bladder, etc.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
searcher
n 1: someone making a search or inquiry; "they are seekers after
truth" [syn: seeker, searcher, quester]
2: a customs official whose job is to search baggage or goods or
vehicles for contraband or dutiable items
3: large metallic blue-green beetle that preys on caterpillars;
found in North America [syn: searcher, searcher beetle,
Calosoma scrutator]
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):
SEARCHER, Eng. law. An officer of the customs, whose duty it is to examine
and search all ships outward bound, to ascertain whether they have any
prohibited or uncustomed goods on board.