jerquer
(ˈdʒɜːkə(r))
Also 8 (erron.) jerguer, 9 jerker.
[See prec. vb.]
‘A custom-house officer, a searcher’ (Simmonds, 1858); in the London Custom House, A clerical officer who examines and checks a ship's papers, to see that all the cargo has been duly entered and described.
| 1706 Phillips, Jerguer, an Officer at the Custom-House, who oversees the Actions and Accounts of the Waiters. 1707 J. Chamberlayne St. Gt. Brit. iii. 498 Four Examiners of the Out-Port Books 200l. Three Jerquers at 100l. each, 300l. 1812 J. Smyth Pract. of Customs (1821) 7 The Warrants, Books, &c. are to be delivered to the Jerquer (or Surveyor, in those Ports where there is not a Jerquer), within one month after the clearing of the Ship by the Tide-surveyor. 1862 Sala Ship-Chandler (L.), I've heard tell that she's three parts slaver and one part pirate; and I wonder the custom-house jerkers don't seize her whenever that gibbet⁓face Stoneyard has the impudence to put into Longport. |