Sutler (from early modern Dutch: zoeteler (now zoetelaar), a small vendor, petty tradesman victualler, soldier's servant). The word has fairly negative connotations as the Low German suttler or sudeler from the verb suetelen means to befoul or perform low duties, especially with regard to the army. Essentially a sutler was a camp follower who sold provisions to the soldiers, part of early logistics.
The French had the cantinier or the preferred female cantinière, derived from the Italian word cantina meaning wine cellar. A cantinier would provide liquor for the troops. Although usually a civilian, a cantinier might well be a moonlighting soldier or the cantinière his wife, seeking to supplement his meagre income. Given that drinking has always been one of a soldier's most popular forms of recreation, the cantinier was an important institution though thoroughly frowned upon by many military reformers. Apart from selling the troops provision, they would also undertake domestic tasks such as washing and repairing clothes. Many soldiers' wives supplemented their income in this role. Even on campaign sutlers made up a large proportion of the great train that trailed behind the armies of the 17th to 19th centuries. The demise of the sutler came with the militarization of supply and transport services in the 19th century. However, the variety of ‘soldier's homes’ and station canteens that sprang up during WW I were a more orderly reflection of an old practice, providing extra comforts to men for whom issue rations were unavailable, inadequate, or simply unappetizing.
— Chris Mann
