Whif'fler1, n.
n. 1. One who whiffs, or smokes tobacco. Halliwell. 2. Hence, a trifling fellow. Every whiffler in a laced coat who frequents the chocolate house shall talk of the constitution. Swift.
2 entries under this word
Whiffler
Whĭf'fler2, n.
n. [A-S. wæflere.]
Sense 1. One who whiffles, or frequently changes his opinion or course; one who uses shifts and evasions in argument.
Sense 2. One who plays on a whiffle, or small fife. [Obs.]
Sense 3. An officer who went before processions to clear the way.
Which, like a mighty whiffler ’fore the king, Seems to prepare the way. Shak.
☞ “Whifflers, or fifers, generally went first in a procession, from which circumstance the name was transferred to other persons who succeeded to that office, and at length was given to those who went forward merely to clear the way for the procession.” Nares.
Sense 4. A young freeman who marches at the head of his own guild or company on Lord Mayor’s Day in London;—called also bachelor whiffler; so denominated, not as clearing the way, but as going first.