Early 17th century; earliest use found in Samuel Purchas (bap. 1577, d. 1626), geographical editor and compiler and Church of England clergyman. From pearl + fisher.
Definition of pearl fisher in US English:
pearl fisher
nounˈpəːl ˌfɪʃə
Pearl diver.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Samuel Purchas (bap. 1577, d. 1626), geographical editor and compiler and Church of England clergyman. From pearl + fisher.