yawler noun4 •One who sails a yawl.For decades there have been yawlers in these reaches of the river, and if anyone knows a thing or two about these waters, they do. — 1987 •A juvenile herring.Fifty years ago Gannets in twos and threes were not infrequently seen on Breydon, whither they went and fished for "yawlers" (half-grown herrings), that were plentiful there in those deep-water days. — 1905 •A young boy or old man who provides support to an oceangoing fishing boat, guiding the jolly boat to shore, performing simple maintenance of the jolly boat, bringing provisions, etc.The yawlers were not all boys, however. A few of them were aged fishermen who, no longer having strength for the strenuous life at sea, had returned to their boyhood's job, and did it well. — 1970 •One who yawls (howls).A fellow has smuggled in a cat, a famous yawler, and right in the midst of your most solemn appeal, it gives a genuine, border-ruffian screech. — 1856 formsyawlers
