Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a laxative.

1923

J. Manchon Le Slang.

2. (US Und.) a crooked dealer working in a gambling house.

1940

D. Maurer Big Con 308: starter. A crooked dealer in a gambling house.

3. (Aus.) one who makes a brave attempt.

1957		‘Nino Culotta’ They’re a Weird Mob (1958) 82: Pat thinks he c’n swear, but ’e’s only a starter compared ter this bloke.
2013		T. Peacock More You Bet 8: Any participant in any contest or context might have been referred to as a ‘starter’.

4. (N.Z.) one who is keen to initiate a new activity.

1963		B. Crump ‘One of Us’ in Best of Barry Crump (1974) 141: ‘I’m a starter,’ says I, ‘but we’ll have to pick up a bit of hay from somewhere. I’ve only got a quid left.’.
1988		McGill Dict. of Kiwi Sl. 107/1: starter somebody ready for anything; eg ‘I’m a starter for a pub crawl.’.
2003		McGill Reed Dict. of N.Z. Sl. [as cit. 1988].

5. (Aus. prison) any form of lubricant used to facilitate anal intercourse.

1990		Tupper & Wortley Aus. Prison Sl. Gloss. 🌐 Starter. Oil or lubricant which is utilised in prison for sodomic practices or masturbation.
2019		P. Baker Fabulosa 298/1: starters lubricant used to faciliate anal sex.