HUCKSTER

huckster, a dealer or retailer of goods in a small way. the word, in various forms, is common to many teutonic languages. in early english it is found as _howkester_, _hokester_, _huxter_; in early modern dutch as _heuker_, and medieval low german as _hoker_; but the ultimate origin is unknown. huckster apparently belongs to that series of words formed from a verb,--as brew, brewer; but the noun "huckster" is found in use before the verb to huck. hawker and pedlar are nearly synonymous in meaning, but "huckster" may include a person in a small way of trade in a settled habitation, while a hawker or pedlar invariably travels from place to place offering his wares. in a contemptuous sense, huckster is used of any one who barters, or makes gain or profit in underhand or mean ways, or who over-reaches another, to get advantage for himself.