Engrosser

/ɛnˈɡroʊsər/ noun

Definition

A person who engrosses or monopolizes something; historically, a merchant who bought goods in bulk to resell; also someone who writes documents in large, formal script.

Etymology

From engross + -er (person performing an action). The term acquired multiple meanings depending on context: merchant, attention-absorber, or calligrapher writing formal documents.

Kelly Says

In medieval England, engrossers were actually regulated and sometimes punished because they'd monopolize the grain or wool markets, creating artificial shortages—the word became almost synonymous with unfair profiteering and greed.

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