revenuer

American  

[rev-uhn-yoo-er, -uh-noo-] / ˈrɛv ənˌyu ər, -əˌnu- /

noun

Informal.

1. an agent of the U.S. Treasury Department, especially one whose responsibility is to enforce laws against illegal distilling or bootlegging of alcoholic liquor.

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revenuer British  

/ ˈrɛvɪˌnjuːə /

noun

1. slang a revenue officer or cutter

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Etymology

Origin of revenuer

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; revenue + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Its hillbilly character “Grandpappy” was shown on later bottles shooting at a government revenuer running from an outhouse.

From Washington Times

State and federal lawmakers want their potential tax revenues, just as the federal “revenuers” did from homemade distilleries and washtubs filled with gin.

From Washington Times

During Prohibition the ban on the production of alcohol was initially enforced by agents of the Treasury Department — “revenuers,” they were called.

From New York Times

At the same time that federal revenuers tried to shut down illegal stills, citizens in the 19th and early-20th centuries advocated for the banning of all liquor.

From Time

But the real import of the new tax is that it extends the reach of government revenuers into entertainment and other services consumed on the Internet at home.

From The Wall Street Journal