pepperer

(ˈpɛpərə)

1. (Commerce) archaic a spice-dealer; a merchant who sells pepper and other spices

2. a hot-tempered person; a person who enlivens situations

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

References in classic literature ?

I always was a pepperer. You Bob Gliddery there, put the chain upon the door and get ye down to your supper.'

With an alacrity that seemed no less referable to the pepperer fact than to the supper fact, Bob obeyed, and his boots were heard descending towards the bed of the river.

'Never was an obstinate person yet, who would own to the word!' remarked Miss Potterson, rubbing her vexed nose; 'I'm sure I would, if I was obstinate; but I am a pepperer, which is different.

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For example, there's CARAPACE, PAMPERER, PEPPERER, REAPPEAR, CRAMMER, CREAMER, PAPERER and PREPARE, as well as many shorter words.

Strange words--and beyond

CF pevrier & ML peverarius] 'a seller of pepper' MED, pepperer 'a dealer in pepper and spices; a grocer' 1180 NED; pepper [OE pipor -L.

Middle English names of merchants: etymology and aspects of usage

Henry II made the English love of pepper official when he established the Guild of Pepperers in 1150 A.D.

Pepper: humanity has been smitten with pepper for nearly three thousand years, and our yearning for it has enticed us into the furthest reaches of the world

Despite historical asides (check "pepperers" and "garblers"), her focus is on food corruption and corrective legislation in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.