wharfinger

[ hwawr-fin-jer, wawr- ]

/ ˈʰwɔr fɪn dʒər, ˈwɔr- /

a person who owns or has charge of a wharf.

Also called wharf·mas·ter

[hwawrf-mas-ter, -mah-ster, wawrf-] /ˈʰwɔrfˌmæs tɛr, -ˌmɑ stər, ˈwɔrf-/.

Origin of wharfinger

1545–55; wharfage + -er¹, with -n- as in passenger, messenger, etc.

The dock warrant was issued by the wharfinger as certificate that he held the goods.

The Chronicles of Newgate, v. 2/2 |Arthur Griffiths
Mr. Blackwood was a wharfinger at Brooklyn and had married Miss Dankward, who brought him a dowry of modern ideas.

Married |August Strindberg
Mr. Gibney stepped into the wharfinger's office and requested permission to use the telephone.

Captain Scraggs |Peter B. Kyne
Phone the wharfinger's office and tell him he'll not regret taking a message down to the dock to Captain Murphy.

Cappy Ricks Retires |Peter B. Kyne

They had reached the wharf office by this time, and were readily admitted by the wharfinger and given a place at the back end.

Golden Days for Boys and Girls, Vol. XII, Jan. 3, 1891 |Various

wharfinger

/ (ˈwɔːfɪndʒə) /

an owner or manager of a wharf

C16: probably alteration of wharfager (see wharfage, -er 1); compare harbinger