catchpole

See also: Catchpole

English

Pronunciation

(UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkatʃpəʊl/

Etymology 1

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

Alternative forms

catchpoll

Noun

catchpole (plural catchpoles)

(obsolete) A taxman, one who gathers taxes.
- 1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney: Ure Smith, published 1965, page 247:
  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.
A sheriff’s officer, usually one who arrests debtors.

Translations

sheriff's officer

Czech: dráb (cs) m, biřic m

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Translations to be checked

German: Gerichtsdiener (de) m

Etymology 2

catch +‎ pole

Alternative forms

catch-pole

Noun

catchpole (plural catchpoles)

(historical) An implement formerly used for seizing and securing a man who would otherwise be out of reach.
- 1843, Henry Shaw, Dresses and Decorations of the Middle Ages, W Pickering 1843:
  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.

References

catchpole in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911