Word Study
grocer
CIDE DICTIONARY
grocer, n. [Formerly written grosser, orig., one who sells by the gross, or deals by wholesale, fr. F. grossier, marchand grossier, fr. gros large, great. See Gross.].
A trader who deals in meats, dairy products, produce, tea, sugar, spices, coffee, fruits, and various other commodities. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
grocer, n. a dealer in food and household provisions.
Etymology
ME & AF grosser, orig. one who sells in the gross, f. OF grossier f. med.L grossarius (as GROSS)
THESAURUS
grocer
baker, bookdealer, bookseller, butcher, chandler, clothing merchant, confectioner, draper, drysalter, fishmonger, fishwife, florist, footwear merchant, fruiterer, furnisher, furrier, greengrocer, groceryman, haberdasher, hardwareman, ironmonger, jeweler, liquor merchant, newsdealer, perfumer, poulterer, saddler, stationer, tobacconist, vintner, wine merchantROGET THESAURUS
grocer
Provision
N provision, supply, grist, grist for the mill, subvention, resources, groceries, grocery, providing, purveyance, reinforcement, reenforcement, commissariat, provender, ensilage, viaticum, caterer, purveyor, commissary, quartermaster, manciple, feeder, batman, victualer, grocer, comprador, restaurateur, jackal, pelican, sutler, grocery shop, grocery store.For further exploring for "grocer" in Webster Dictionary Online