merchant

Etymology

From Middle English marchaunt, from Anglo-Norman marchaunt, from mercans, from the verb mercor (“I trade, deal, sell”).

noun

1. A person who traffics in commodities for profit.
2. The owner or operator of a retail business.
3. A trading vessel; a merchantman.
4. (informal, sometimes derogatory) Someone who is noted for a stated type of activity or behaviour.
   He's some kind of speed merchant — he drives way too fast.
   Goal merchant Smith scored twice again in the match against Mudchester Rovers.
5. (obsolete) A supercargo.

verb

1. As a resident of a region, to buy goods from a non-resident and sell them to another non-resident.
   a merchanting service