sandman

noun3

1. •
   A figure that brings sleep and dreams by sprinkling magical sand into people's eyes.
2. •
   Used as a symbol of the passage of time toward death.
3. •
   (no longer used) A seller of sand.

   • While I was out, a sandman, who sells scouring sand, which women use to clean the baths with, passed through our street, and called, Any sand ho ! — 1811