TARRIER

Etymology 1

The Roman Catholic slang variation is possibly derived from Saint Erasmus being labeled as a tarrier of time before torture and execution for his beliefs.

Noun

tarrier (plural tarriers)

A layabout or loiterer; someone who tarries.

(slang, derogatory, UK, ) A Roman Catholic of Northern Ireland or Scotland

Adjective

tarrier

comparative form of tarry

Etymology 2

Noun

tarrier (plural tarriers)

Obsolete form of terrier.

Source: Wiktionary

Tar"ri*er, n.

Definition: One who, or that which, tarries.

Tar"ri*er, n. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A kind of dig; a terrier. [Obs.]

TARRY

Tar"ry, a. Etym: [From Tar, n.]

Definition: Consisting of, or covered with, tar; like tar.

Tar"ry, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tarried; p. pr. & vb. n. Tarrying.] Etym: [OE. tarien to irritate (see Tarre); but with a change of sense probably due to confusion with OE. targen to delay, OF. targier, fr. (assumed) LL. tardicare, fr. L. tardare to make slow, to tarry, fr. tardus slow. Cf. Tardy.]

1. To stay or remain behind; to wait. Tarry ye for us, until we come again. Ex. xxiv. 14.

2. To delay; to put off going or coming; to loiter. Come down unto me, tarry not. Gen. xic. 9. One tarried here, there hurried one. Emerson.

3. To stay; to abide; to continue; to lodge. Tarry all night, and wash your feet. Gen. xix. 2.

Syn.

– To abide; continue; lodge; await; loiter.

Tar"ry, v. t.

1. To delay; to defer; to put off. [Obs.] Tarry us here no longer than to-morrow. Chaucer.

2. To wait for; to stay or stop for. [Archaic] He that will have a cake out of the wheat must needs tarry the grinding. Shak. He plodded on, . . . tarrying no further question. Sir W. Scott.

Tar"ry, n.

Definition: Stay; stop; delay. [Obs.] E. Lodge.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition