painter

painter · noun¹

1. Old French · derived frompeintor
2. Middle English · inherited frompeyntour
3. English todaypainter

Inherited from Middle English peyntour, from Old French peintor, equivalent to paint + -er.

painter · noun²

1. Middle French · derived frompendeur
2. English todaypainter

Probably from Middle French pendeur.

painter · noun³

From a variation of panther, paralleling other Southern pronunciations for can't and aunt (see ain't for more details).

Painter · proper noun⁴

See painter.

First known use, by meaning

• 14th–17th c. A chain or rope used to attach the shank of an anchor to the side of a ship when not in use.
• from 17th c. A rope that is attached to the bow of a dinghy, or other small boat, and used for tying up or towing.