pusher

The word 'pusher' is a transparent English compound formed from the verb 'push' and the agentive suffix '-er'. The verb 'push' entered Middle English from Anglo-French pousser and Old French poulser, which derived from Latin pulsare, meaning 'to beat, strike, push', a frequentative form of pellere (to drive, strike). The suffix '-er' is a prolific Germanic agent-noun formative, originating from Proto-Germanic -ārijaz, itself borrowed from Latin -arius. The literal meaning, 'one who pushes', has been in use since the 14th century. By the early 20th century, the term developed a specific criminal slang sense for a drug dealer, metaphorically extending the idea of someone who 'pushes' or aggressively sells illicit substances onto others.

Structure: push (to exert force) + er (agent suffix) - push: From Middle English pushen, possen, pusshen, likely of Germanic origin, related to Old English pyscan (to push, thrust). Its functional role is the core verb root meaning to exert force. - er: A native English agent noun suffix of Germanic origin, used to form nouns denoting a person or thing that performs the action of the verb.