ˈtāstə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from tasten to taste + -er
1. : one that tastes: as
a. : a person that has the duty of tasting food or drink prepared for another person (as a king) and thereby testing whether poison is present
b. : a person employed to sample a food product or beverage to determine its quality and taste appeal before it is offered for sale to the public
c. : a person able to taste the chemical phenylthiourea
2. : a device used in tasting or sampling something: as
a. : a shallow metal cup used in tasting wine
b. : a fluted tool for taking a sample of cheese or butter
3.
a. : a small amount especially of food or drink taken as a sample : taste
b. Britain : a serving of ice cream in a shallow glass dish