A shop or business that sells dry goods like spices, tea, coffee, and preserved foods without any fresh or perishable items.
From 'dry' (not moist) and 'saltery' (a place related to salt and preserving). The term emerged in the 16th century to describe shops specializing in non-perishable goods that could be stored without refrigeration, reflecting pre-modern food preservation methods.
Drysalters were like the convenience stores of medieval and Victorian cities—they sold everything from pepper to pickles, and their existence tells us how important dry goods and spices were when fresh food couldn't be transported long distances.
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