Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Holder \Hold"er\, n.
   One who is employed in the hold of a vessel.

Holder \Hold"er\, n.
   1. One who, or that which, holds.

   2. One who holds land, etc., under another; a tenant.

   3. (Com.) The payee of a bill of exchange or a promissory
      note, or the one who owns or holds it.

   Note: Holder is much used as the second part of a compound;
         as, shareholder, officeholder, stockholder,etc.

Source : WordNet®

holder
     n 1: a holding device; "a towel holder"
     2: the person who is in possession of a check or note or bond
        or document of title that is endorsed to him or to whoever
        holds it; "the bond was marked `payable to bearer'" [syn:
        {bearer}]