n.
Pronunciation: ˌ s ə -m ə l- ' y ā
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural sommeliers \ - ' y ā (z) \
Etymology: French, from Middle French soumelier official charged with transportation of supplies, from Old French, pack animal driver, probably alteration of *sommerier, from somier pack animal, from Medieval Latin saugmarius, from Late Latin sagma packsaddle ― more at SUMPTER
Date: 1829
: a waiter in a restaurant who has charge of wines and their service : a wine steward