from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Farmer \Farm"er\ (f[aum]rm"[~e]r), n. [Cf. F. fermier.]
One who farms; as:
(a) One who hires and cultivates a farm; a cultivator of
leased ground; a tenant. --Smart.
(b) One who is devoted to the tillage of the soil; one who
cultivates a farm; an agriculturist; a husbandman.
(c) One who takes taxes, customs, excise, or other duties, to
collect, either paying a fixed annuual rent for the
privilege; as, a farmer of the revenues.
(d) (Mining) The lord of the field, or one who farms the lot
and cope of the crown.
[1913 Webster]
{Farmer-general} [F. fermier-general], one to whom the right
of levying certain taxes, in a particular district, was
farmed out, under the former French monarchy, for a given
sum paid down.
{Farmers' satin}, a light material of cotton and worsted,
used for coat linings. --McElrath.
{The king's farmer} (O. Eng. Law), one to whom the collection
of a royal revenue was farmed out. --Burrill.
[1913 Webster]