taster

noun

Etymology: From Middle English taster; equivalent to taste + -er.

1. An object in which, or by which, food or drink is tasted, such as a small cup.

   “A flight of tasters was served to the people who would vote on the next soda flavor to be released.”

2. Someone who tastes something; especially, either (1) to check its quality (in food science, winemaking, etc.) or (2) as a security measure to prevent assassination of a protectee.

   “Big companies such as P&G or Kraft Heinz employ or contract with professional tasters who help with product development.”

   “Being a cook for protectees also entails being a taster for them.”

3. A kind of zooid situated on the polyp-stem of certain Siphonophorae, resembling the feeding zooids, but destitute of mouths.
4. A sample of something bigger or grander intended for future use.

   “The Kraft Heinz exhibit at the trade fair was a taster of new snack products set to hit the market soon.”

   “The Samsung exhibit at the trade fair was a taster of new consumer electronic products set to hit the market soon.”

5. A person who is, by genetic makeup, able to taste phenylthiocarbamide.