Tidewaiter
/ˈtaɪdˌweɪtər/noun
An officer who inspected ships and cargo at the docks, especially to prevent smuggling.
Did you know?The word is a compound of ordinary English elements, and in port cities these officials acted like the state’s eyes at the waterline, where trade, tax, and smuggling all met.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
tīd
“an appointed time, season, or fixed point in time”
Old French
OF
waitier
“to watch, guard, or keep watch”
Middle English
ME
tidewaiter
“a watcher or officer at the tides, especially in ports”
17th–19th Century
English
tidewaiter
“a customs officer who boarded or inspected ships arriving with the tide”
Modern English
English
tidewaiter
“a historical term for a customs or dock officer”