Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Tinker

Tinker , noun

[From Tink, because the tinker's way of proclaiming his trade is to beat a kettle, or because in his work he makes a tinkling noise. Johnson.]

1.
A mender of brass kettles, pans, and other metal ware.
Tailors and tinkers. — Piers Plowman
2.
One skilled in a variety of small mechanical work.
3.
(Ordnance) A small mortar on the end of a staff.
4.
(a) (Zoology) A young mackerel about two years old.
(b)
(Zoology) The chub mackerel.
(c)
(Zoology) The silversides.
(d)
(Zoology) A skate. [Provincial English]
5.
(Zoology) The razor-billed auk.

Tinker , transitive verb

To mend or solder, as metal wares; hence, more generally, to mend.

Tinker , intransitive verb

To busy one's self in mending old kettles, pans, etc.; to play the tinker; to be occupied with small mechanical works.