Feeder \Feed"er\, n.

1. One who, or that which, gives food or supplies nourishment; steward.

A couple of friends, his chaplain and feeder. --Goldsmith.

2. One who furnishes incentives; an encourager. ``The feeder of my riots.'' --Shak.

3. One who eats or feeds; specifically, an animal to be fed or fattened.

With eager feeding, food doth choke the feeder. --Shak.

4. One who fattens cattle for slaughter.

5. A stream that flows into another body of water; a tributary; specifically (Hydraulic Engin.), a water course which supplies a canal or reservoir by gravitation or natural flow.

6. A branch railroad, stage line, or the like; a side line which increases the business of the main line.

7. (Mining)
   (a) A small lateral lode falling into the main lode or mineral vein. --Ure.
   (b) A strong discharge of gas from a fissure; a blower. --Raymond.

8. (Mach.) An auxiliary part of a machine which supplies or leads along the material operated upon.

9. (Steam Engine) A device for supplying steam boilers with water as needed.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)