Hos"tler (?), n. [OE. hosteler, osteler, innkeeper, OF. hostelier, F. hôtelier. See Hostel, and cf. Hospitaler, Hosteler.] 1. An innkeeper. [Obs.] See Hosteler.

2. The person who has the care of horses at an inn or stable; hence, any one who takes care of horses; a groom; - - so called because the innkeeper formerly attended to this duty in person.

3. (Railroad) The person who takes charge of a locomotive when it is left by the engineer after a trip.

• alternative word for ostler