Crossword Dictionary
tapster
tapster, tapper - n
a tavern keeper who taps kegs or casks
in a sentence
Boy, bid the tapster of the Boars Head fill me a dozen cans of beer for my journeymen.
Robin shaped himself like to the tapster's brewer, and came and demanded twenty pounds which was due to him from the tapster.
etymology
"person employed to tap liquors, one who draws and sells ale, tavernkeeper," Middle English tappester, which especially meant "woman tapster, barmaid, tavern hostess," from Old English tæppestre "female tavern-keeper, hostess at an inn, woman employed to tap liquors," fem of tæppere, from tæppa "tap" (see tap (n.1)) + fem. ending -ster.
The distinction of gender in the word was lost by 15c., and by 1630s a re-feminized tapstress is attested. Nashe (1590s) has tapsterly (adj.) in reference to coarse language.