I. ˈstēmə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: steam (I) & steam (II) + -er
1.
a. : a vessel in which articles are subjected to steam
b. : a cooking utensil with a perforated insert to hold food to be steamed
2.
a.
(1) : steamship
(2) : a mechanically propelled ship
b. : an engine, machine, or vehicle operated or propelled by steam: as
(1) : a fire engine having pumps operated by steam
modern fire trucks ousting the rampaging old horse-drawn steamers — Sat. Eve. Post
(2) : an automobile driven by steam
3. : one that steams ; specifically : one that cleans or conditions with steam (as in the cleaning of electrolytic refining equipment, the preshrinking of cloth, the blending of tobacco)
4.
[so called from its suitability for steaming]
: soft-shell clam
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to go or voyage by steamer