\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.