revenue cutter

American  

noun

1. cutter.

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revenue cutter British  

noun

1. a small lightly armed boat used to enforce customs regulations and catch smugglers

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Etymology

Origin of revenue cutter

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

After a weary four-day trek through the wilderness, a flight by plane to Juneau, a trip down the coast by revenue cutter to Seattle and a transcontinental hop, he reported in Washington.

From Time Magazine Archive

A British revenue cutter ordered to the scene was damaged by ice floes and forced back to base for repairs.

From Time Magazine Archive

Had I passed a certain reef now called Tahoma Reefs in the day time instead of at night in 1914, I would not have lost the revenue cutter Tahoma.

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week the British revenue cutter, repaired and loaded with German police, again headed for Helgoland.

From Time Magazine Archive

On June 2nd he was escorted to the Long Wharf in Boston and put aboard a revenue cutter and sent back to Virginia.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry