Etymology

Noun

1. A merchant dealing in fabrics and textiles, especially silks and other fine cloths.
   • 1600, Ben Jonson, Cynthia's Revels

     ... Acolastus-Polypragmon-Asotus, is here present (by the help of his mercer, tailor, milliner, sempster, and so forth) at his designed hour...

   • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses

     He passed, dallying, the windows of Brown Thomas, silk mercers.