Word: dragsman Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From drag + -s- + -man. 1. A driver of a carriage, coach, or drag, for public transport, private hire, or as a household servant; coachman. Labels: historical Example: Some years since, on a journey into Kent, and sitting on the box beside the dragsman, I was surprised to see him turn out of a fine piece of road which had the most moderate, and, in my idea, most insignificant slope, in order to whip his horses over a deep and fresh laid piece of gravel. Example: The man was of the old school and held a very poor opinion, so her papa said, of the new flashman types—men like Gunnet, who despite his coarse features was one of Mr Cameron's most elegant dragsmen. 2. One who races horses; an amateur jockey. Labels: obsolete Example: Even those who make the best use of our system of education, and whose accomplishments at quitting college are not confined to being a capital rower and a " prime dragsman," learn very little or nothing that is of use to them in after life ; Example: He could make as good a book as most men, throw a main, and play a fair game of whist ; was a very pretty dragsman, and could fight a few. 3. A thief who cuts the luggage from carriages. Labels: historical Example: In consequence of the great improvement in the make of travelling carriages, there are now few opportunities for the dragsman to exercise his calling in cutting off trunks fastened behind those vehicles, so that the thieves who have a preference for this mode of plunder, are now constrained to prowl about the streets, following the numerous carts which are daily employed in the delivering of goods in this large city and who may be termed "cart sneaks." Example: he had a word for the hostler about that “gray mare,” a nod for the “shooter” or guard, and a bow for the dragsman; 4. One who drags a body of water in search of something that is submerged. Example: Ten figures of eight cut in five minutes -- ice broken -- dreadful catastrophe -- a score of skaiters fell in -- Humane Society called out -- Drags and dragsmen in full cry. Example: After several hours' labour in the deep and fast-flowing waters of the Suir, the dragsmen struck upon a body that was lying still at the bottom of the river, about two hundred yards from the place where the hat was found, and a short way from the shore. 5. One who moves the carts or sledges at a mine; a putter. Example: On the coal being detached in the manner above described, a corve, tub, or basket, is then brought to the spot on a four-wheeled train, by a man and boy, technically called a " dragsman and foal," and when filled with the scattered fragments, it is dragged to the bottom of the shaft, hooked to the end of the rope, and drawn to the top in about three minutes. When the corbes are made of iron they are called tubs, and the labours of the dragsman and his assistant are then performed by horses. Example: A rope in front of each was for the use of the crew as dragsmen 6. One who lays down the scent trail for a hunt. Example: The country to be ridden over is selected the day before the run by the huntsman, who walks over the whole line with the dragsman, the legitimacy of the trail being assured by no mark of any kind being left on the line except on fences in which there is barbed wire. Example: The dragsman, if regularly employed, may also help about horses and kennels, and work "by the run" (at $5); or for so much per month, or the kennelman may also lay drag, and will be glad of the chance, if an active fellow, as he must be.