Gaf″fer (?), n. [Possibly contr. fr. godfather; but prob. fr. gramfer for grandfather. Cf. Gammer.] 1. An old fellow; an aged rustic.
Go to each gaffer and each goody. Fawkes.
☞ Gaffer was originally a respectful title, now degenerated into a term of familiarity or contempt when addressed to an aged man in humble life.
2. A foreman or overseer of a gang of laborers.