*tinker*

n. [ From Tink, because the tinker's way of proclaiming his trade is to beat a kettle, or because in his work he makes a tinkling noise. Johnson. ] 1. A mender of brass kettles, pans, and other metal ware. “Tailors and tinkers.” Piers Plowman. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One skilled in a variety of small mechanical work. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Ordnance) A small mortar on the end of a staff. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Zool.) (a) A young mackerel about two years old. (b) The chub mackerel. (c) The silversides. (d) A skate. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Zool.) The razor-billed auk. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Tinkered p. pr. & vb. n. Tinkering. ] To mend or solder, as metal wares; hence, more generally, to mend. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To busy one's self in mending old kettles, pans, etc.; to play the tinker; to be occupied with small mechanical works. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act or work of a tinker. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. After the manner of a tinker. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]