trafficker
UK: ˈtræfɪkə | US: ˈtræfɪkər
n. a person who deals or trades in illegal goods (e.g., drugs, weapons, or people)
n. a merchant or trader involved in commercial transportation of goods
trafficker = traffic<trade, transport> + er<agent noun suffix>
- traffic (from Middle French traffique, meaning "trade" or "commerce," derived from Italian traffico, possibly from Arabic tafrīq "distribution")
- er (agentive suffix in English, indicating "one who does something")
Etymology Origin:
The word trafficker evolved from the broader term traffic, which originally referred to trade or transportation of goods. Over time, traffic narrowed in meaning to include illicit trade, giving rise to trafficker as a label for those engaged in such activities. The suffix -er solidifies its role as an agent noun, emphasizing the person’s active involvement in the trade.
The police arrested a notorious drug trafficker last night.
Human traffickers exploit vulnerable individuals for profit.
In the 18th century, rum traffickers played a key role in colonial trade.
Authorities are cracking down on wildlife traffickers in the region.
The novel’s villain is a ruthless arms trafficker.