Gaf"fer (?), n. [Possibly contr. fr. godfather; but prob. fr. gramfer for grandfather. Cf. Gammer.] 1. An old fellow; an aged rustic.

Go to each gaffer and each goody.

&fist; Gaffer was originally a respectful title, now degenerated into a term of familiarity or contempt when addressed to an aged man in humble life.

2. A foreman or overseer of a gang of laborers. [Prov. Eng.]

• A lighting electrician for a motion-picture or television production.
  
• (colloquial) An old man.
  
• (British) A foreman.