Dictionary entry

Chapman

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Chap″man (?), n.; pl.Chapmen (#). [AS. ceápman; ceáp trade + man man; akin to D. koopman, Sw. köpman, Dan. kiöpmand, G. kaufmann.f. Chap to cheapen, and see Cheap.] 1. One who buys and sells; a merchant; a buyer or a seller.

The word of life is a quick commodity, and ought not, as a drug to be obtruded on those chapmen who are unwilling to buy it.

T. Fuller.

2. A peddler; a hawker.