Beginning as early as the 14th century, a grocer (also called purveyor) was a dealer in comestible dry goods such as spices, pepper, sugar, and (later) cocoa, tea and coffee. These items were bought in bulk, hence the term grocer from the French "grossier" meaning wholesaler. As increasing numbers of staple foodstuffs became available in cans and other less-perishable packaging, the trade expanded its province.
OmegaWiki Dictionary
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grocer A retail merchant who sells foodstuffs.
grocer A person who sells groceries (foodstuffs and household items) retail from a grocery
