Hos"tler (?), n. [OE. hosteler, osteler, innkeeper, OF. hostelier, F.
hÙtelier. See Hostel, and cf. Hospitaler, Hosteler.] 1. An innkeeper.
[Obs.] See Hosteler.
2. The person who has the care of horses at an inn or stable; hence,
any one who takes care of horses; a groom; - - so called because the
innkeeper formerly attended to this duty in person.
3. (Railroad) The person who takes charge of a locomotive when it is
left by the engineer after a trip.
Host"less (?), a. Inhospitable. [Obs.] "A hostless house." Spenser.
Host"ry (?), n. [OE. hosterie, osterie, OF. hosterie. See Host a
landlord.] 1. A hostelry; an inn or lodging house. [Obs.] Marlowe.