Quäck'säl-ver, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [L. Ger. quak-salver, D. kwakzalver, N. H. Ger. quacksalber, Dan. quaksalver, Sw. quacksalvare, from Ger. quacken, Eng. quack, and Ger. salber, O. H. Ger. salpari, one who deals in salves, from Ger. salbe, Eng. salve.] One who boasts of his skill in medicines and salves, or of the efficacy of his prescriptions; a charlatan; a quack; a mountebank. [Obs.]