Definition of "dictater"

The dictater frequently misreads or mistalks a word. If the error is plain, and leaves no room for doubt that it is an error, don't copy that error.

1904 October, Charles G. Mutzenbergh, “The Stenographer”, in The Phonographic Magazine and National Shorthand Reporter

When, however, in any particular case, he has no assured means of determining the true spelling of the name, he should always quietly interrupt the dictater with the request, " Spell it , please," and then write the name in longhand from the dictater's spelling.

1910, Jerome Bird Howard, The Phonographic Amanuensis, page 210

On the other hand, an embossed system involves less of the dictater's time (which is presumably more expensive) than of the secretary's time.

1972, Carl Heyel, Handbook of Modern Office Management and Administrative Services, pages 4-28