catchpole

A taxman, one who gathers taxes.

Noun obsolete

  1. A taxman, one who gathers taxes.
    • With two such catchpoles as Henry and Uncle Fred at his heels there was nothing left for Grandpa Piper but to sign his abdication to the drapery business. - 1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith,...
  2. A sheriff’s officer, usually one who arrests debtors.

Origin

From Old French chacepol (“one who chases fowls”) (or a northern variant thereof).

Forms

catchpoles catchpoll

Related

myrmidon

Noun historical

  1. An implement formerly used for seizing and securing a person who would otherwise be out of reach.
    • The use of the catch-pole is said to have been to take horsemen in battle by the neck and drag them from their horses. - 1843, Henry Shaw, Dresses and Decorations of the Middle Ages, W Pickering:

    Synonyms: man catcher

Origin

From catch + pole.

Forms

catchpoles catch-pole