I. ˈplā-sər noun
Date: 1579
: one that places: as
a. : one that deposits or arranges
b. : one of the winners in a competition
II. ˈpla-sər noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Spanish, from Catalan, submarine plain, from plaza place, from Latin platea broad street — more at place
Date: 1848
: an alluvial, marine, or glacial deposit containing particles of valuable mineral and especially of gold
placer gold