Definition of "trier"

[…] I had once brought me a certain Earth, by a Gentleman that digg'd it up in this, or ſome neighboring Country, vvhich, though it ſeem'd but a Mineral Earth, did really afford, to a very expert tryer of Metals of my acquaintance, a not deſpicable proportion of Gold.

1663, Robert Boyle, “Essay V. Proposing Some Particulars wherein Natural Philosophy may be Useful to the Therapeutical Part of Physick.”, in Some Considerations Touching the Vsefulnesse of Experimental Naturall Philosophy, […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] Hen[ry] Hall printer to the University, for Ric[hard] Davis, part II, section I (Of It’s Usefulness to Physick), chapter III, page 132

The judge should grasp the butter trier firmly in hand and insert the sampling device as near as possible to the center of the butter sample.

2009, Stephanie Clark, Michael Costello, Floyd Bodyfelt, The Sensory Evaluation of Dairy Products, page 145

Nay, mother, / Where is your ancient courage? you were us'd / To say, extremity was the trier of spirits

c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act IV, scene i]