cut·ter / ˈkətər/ • n. 1. a person or thing that cuts something, in particular: ∎  a tool for cutting something, esp. one intended for cutting a particular thing or for producing a particular shape: a glass cutter| (cutters) a pair of bolt cutters. ∎  a person who cuts or edits movies. ∎  a person in a tailoring establishment who takes measurements and cuts the cloth. ∎  a person who reduces or cuts down on something, esp. expenditures: a determined cutter of costs.2. a light, fast coastal patrol boat. ∎  a ship's boat used for carrying light stores or passengers. ∎ hist. a small fore-and-aft-rigged sailing ship with one mast, more than one headsail, and a running bowsprit, used as a fast auxiliary. ∎  a yacht with a gaff-rigged mainsail and two foresails.3. Baseball (also cut fastball) a fastball that breaks somewhat on being pitched.4. a light horse-drawn sleigh.

cutter ship's rowing and sailing boat; small one-masted vessel. XVIII. perh. f. CUT 2 + -ER 1.