tidewaiter

[ tahyd-wey-ter ]

noun

1. a customs officer who checks goods upon a vessel's landing, to secure the payment of duties.

tidewaiter

/ ˈtaɪdˌweɪtə /

noun

1. (formerly) a customs officer who boarded and inspected incoming ships

Other Words From

• tidewaiter·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tidewaiter¹

First recorded in 1700–15; tide ¹( def ) + waiter ( def )