Definition of "chafer"

chafer¹

noun
plural chafers
1. One who chafes.
2. A vessel for heating water; hence, a dish or pan.
  Quotations
  A chafer of water to cool the ends of the irons.
  1643, Richard Baker, Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Romans' Government unto the Death of King James
3. A vessel for holding burning coals or hot water used as a warmer.
  Quotations
  Enter Mephoſtophilis with the Chafer of fire. / Meph. See Fauſtus here is fire, ſet it on.
  1589–1592 (date written), Ch[ristopher] Mar[lowe], The Tragicall Historie of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus. […], London: […] Iohn Wright, […], published 1616 (1631 reprint), page

chafer²

noun
plural chafers
1. Any of several scarab beetles, including the cockchafer, leaf chafer, and rose chafer.
  Quotations
  He who torments the Chafers spriteWeaves a Bower in endleſs Night
  c. 1803, William Blake, “Auguries of Innocence” in the Pickering Manuscript