dealer n Cp OED ~ 3 'one who deals in merchandise, a trader' for sense 1; DC Nfld (1918) for sense 2.
   1 Businessman operating as middleman between the fishermen of a locality and a fish-merchant in a central community; cp AGENT.
   [1770] 1894 HARVEY 281 Another stone [in the Placentia graveyard] records the departure of a certain Richard Walsh in 1770, 'who carried on a most extensive trade in this harbour with the greatest credit, and died in the 53rd year of his age feelingly lamented by his Planters and Dealers.' 1850 [FEILD] 92 They depend for other supplies upon dealers from St John's and Harbour Grace. 1923 PRATT 48 "Overheard in a Cove": ... no dealer born could take 'em in... /or show them any solid reason / Why number one prime cod might any season / Drop in price. 1936 SMITH 18 [We] brought up two loads of codfish from Jigger Tickle for Capt William Pumphrey, a large dealer of John Munn & Co., 1,060 quintals each trip, and shipped it on board the fish steamer at Emily Harbour. We also brought up another load from Mr George Smith from Edwards Harbor, another large dealer of John Munn & Co., and shipped it on board the second steamer. 1975 BUTLER 66 This barter business sounds very, very bad. But, if you were a good dealer and the merchant was carryin' ya, 'tis not so bad as it sounds. 1977 BUTLER 67 [We visited] all the harbours around the Bay, selling goods and collecting fish from the firm's dealers.
   2 Fisherman operating under the CREDIT or TRUCK SYSTEM (see TRUCK¹ ).
   [1888] 1897 Nfld Law Reports 307 The plaintiff was a hired shareman of one Charles Parsons, a dealer and freighter of the defendant's, and was engaged to proceed with Parsons to the Labrador fishery. The plaintiff 'entered into collar' with Parsons, and worked in his service prior to the intended voyage to Labrador. 1900 BROWNING 270 It was observed that [the merchant] held the lever at both ends, and could, at least where he had many 'dealers,' recoup from one the losses he may have suffered from another. 1909 BROWNE 284 Horse Harbor, another large fishing centre, is situated near Holton; and it is settled chiefly by 'dealers' of the concern which operates so largely in Holton.

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