hostler Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun someone employed in a stable to take care of the horses
    ostler; groom; stableboy; stableman.

WordNet

Hos"tler noun
Etymology
OE. hosteler, osteler, innkeeper, OF. hostelier, F. hôtelier. See Hostel, and cf. Hospitaler, Hosteler.
Definitions
  1. An innkeeper. Obs. See Hosteler.
  2. The person who has the care of horses at an inn or stable; hence, any one who takes care of horses; a groom; -- so called because the innkeeper formerly attended to this duty in person.
  3. (Railroad) The person who takes charge of a locomotive when it is left by the engineer after a trip.

Webster 1913