A cutting tool or device; a fast sailing ship; or grooming tools for cutting hair or nails.
From 'clip' (Middle English 'clyppan' meaning to embrace or cut) plus agent suffix '-er'. The ship sense emerged in the 1800s from their ability to 'clip along' at high speed.
Clipper ships were the speed demons of the 19th century, designed for maximum velocity rather than cargo capacity. The California Gold Rush created huge demand for these ships to carry goods and people quickly from the East Coast around Cape Horn.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.