Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Gaffer \Gaf"fer\, n. [Possibly contr. fr. godfather; but prob.
   fr. gramfer for grandfather. Cf. {Gammer}.]
   1. An old fellow; an aged rustic.

            Go to each gaffer and each goody.     --Fawkes.

   Note: Gaffer was originally a respectful title, now
         degenerated into a term of familiarity or contempt when
         addressed to an aged man in humble life.

   2. A foreman or overseer of a gang of laborers. [Prov. Eng.]

Source : WordNet®

gaffer
     n 1: an elderly man [syn: {old-timer}, {oldtimer}, {old geezer},
          {antique}]
     2: an electrician responsible for lighting on a movie or tv set
     3: a person who exercises control over workers; "if you want to
        leave early you have to ask the foreman" [syn: {foreman},
        {chief}, {honcho}, {boss}]