gaffer Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an elderly man
    old geezer; antique; old-timer; oldtimer.
  2. noun an electrician responsible for lighting on a movie or tv set
  3. noun a person who exercises control over workers
    foreman; chief; honcho; boss.
    • if you want to leave early you have to ask the foreman

WordNet

Gaf"fer noun
Etymology
Possibly contr. fr. godfather; but prob. fr. gramfer for grandfather. Cf. Gammer.
Definitions
  1. An old fellow; an aged rustic.
    Go to each gaffer and each goody. Fawkes.
    ✍ Gaffer was originally a respectful title, now degenerated into a term of familiarity or contempt when addressed to an aged man in humble life.
  2. A foreman or overseer of a gang of laborers. Prov. Eng.

Webster 1913