DCHP-1 Online
swamper † 
1 n. Lumbering a logger employed in cutting roads and, often, in trimming branches from felled trees.
See also: road-cutter road-maker
- 1872 A crew of lumberers have different occupations assigned to them; the "fellers," cut down the trees and trim them; the "swampers," who "swamp"--cut roads--to the felled trees to enable the "teamster" and his assistants to haul them on a "Bob sled"--two sleds working independently and joined by chains. . . .
- 1908 We came to where the "swampers" were at work chopping limbs and brush, preparing the cut logs for hauling.
- 1956 These were the swampers who cleared the brush for the skid roads. . . .
- 1967 For example, with the substantial adoption of the new machines . . . there will be sharp declines in requirements for pulpwood cutters, teamsters, roadmen and swampers, laborers, cooks, cookees, and choreboys. . . .
2a n. Hist. See quote.
- 1960 [Caption] Many drivers were accompanied by a "swamper," who was usually a young fellow apprenticed to the teaming business. The swamper looked after the horses, including rounding them up in the morning, usually about four o'clock, and in general assisted the teamster with the over-all duties of freighting.
2b n. a truck-driver's helper.
- 1959 He told the court he had gone into the office and left the job to his swamper and returned without noticing the tarp was not in place. . . .
- 1963 A wood truck swamper was charged $25 each for two stolen kisses Wednesday.
- 1872 A crew of lumberers have different occupations assigned to them; the "fellers," cut down the trees and trim them; the "swampers," who "swamp"--cut roads--to the felled trees to enable the "teamster" and his assistants to haul them on a "Bob sled"--two sleds working independently and joined by chains. . . .