flut·er \ˈflüd.ə(r), -ütə-\noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English flauter, flautour, from Old French flouteor, from flouter to play the flute + -eor -or — more at flute 1.archaic: flutist 2.[flute (II) + -er] a.: a worker who flutes (as furniture parts or curtain ruffles) by hand or by machine b.: a tool or implement for making flutings