1. a person who follows an army and sells provisions to soldiers
Usage: historical

Examples

• The sutler set up his tent near the military camp to sell food and supplies.
• During the Civil War, sutlers provided soldiers with tobacco, coffee, and other goods.
• The regiment’s sutler charged high prices for basic necessities.
• Army regulations controlled what sutlers could sell to the troops.
• The sutler’s wagon followed the soldiers as they marched to new positions.
• Many sutlers made considerable profits selling to homesick soldiers.