tithingman

noun

tith·​ing·​man

ˈtīt͟hiŋˌman

plural tithingmen

1

: the chief man of an old English tithing

2

: a British local peace officer

3

[tithing entry 2 + man] : a collector of tithes

4

a

: an elected local official having the functions of a peace officer in various American colonies (as Maryland and in New England)

b

: an annually elected official chosen in New England towns until well into the 19th century and charged primarily with preserving order in church during divine service and enforcing the observance of the Sabbath

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English tēothingman, from tēothung + man

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