pander

Etymology

From Middle English pandare, from Chaucer’s character Pandare (in Troilus and Criseyde; see also Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida), from Italian Pandaro (found in Boccaccio), from Latin Pandarus (found in Greek mythology), from Ancient Greek Πάνδαρος (Pándaros).

noun

1. A person who furthers the illicit love-affairs of others; a pimp or procurer.
   […] if ever you prove false one, to another since I have taken such paine to bring you together let all pittifull goers betweene be cald to the worlds end after my name, call them all Panders, let all constant men be Troylusses all false woemen Cressids, and all brokers betweene panders 1609, Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida, act 3
   It was not only the brilliant phalanx of virtuous dowagers, generals and academicians with whom he was most intimately associated that Swann so cynically compelled to serve him as panders. 1992, Moncrieff/Kilmartin/Enright, translating Marcel Proust, Swann’s Way, Folio Society 2005, p. 190
2. An offer of illicit sex with a third party.
3. An illicit or illegal offer, usually to tempt.
4. (by extension) One who ministers to the evil designs and passions of another.
   Two small Hindu boys were waiting for me outside—small for their years (about fourteen) but infinitely worldly-wise. Hindu boys are, first, panders, and second, remarkably skillful and pertinacious beggars. 1944 May, Gilbert E. Fuller Jr, “Chanute and Points West”, in The Atlantic

verb

1. (intransitive) To tempt with, to appeal or cater to (improper motivations, etc.); to assist in gratification.
   His latest speech panders to the worst instincts of the electorate.
   … both the Conservatives and Labour are guilty of pandering to the road lobby at the time of Beeching's The Reshaping of Britain's Railways report published in 1963. July 29 2020, Howard Johnston, “Reversing Beeching: just how serious is the DfT?”, in Rail, page 30
2. (intransitive) To offer illicit sex with a third party; to pimp.
3. (transitive, obsolete) To act as a pander for (somebody).