I. ˈstä-pər noun
Date: 15th century
1. : one that brings to a halt or causes to stop operating or functioning : check : as
a. : a playing card that will stop the running of a suit
b. : a baseball pitcher depended on to win important games or to stop a losing streak ; also : an effective relief pitcher
2. : one that closes, shuts, or fills up ; specifically : something (as a bung or cork) used to plug an opening
II. transitive verb
( stop·pered ; stop·per·ing -p(ə-)riŋ)
Date: circa 1769
: to close or secure with or as if with a stopper
stopper the bottle