Definition

Noun: A government official whose duty is to collect excise taxes and enforce laws relating to goods on which such taxes are levied, such as alcohol and tobacco. Historically, this role involved monitoring production and preventing smuggling.

Usage

The term refers specifically to the occupation or the person holding that occupation. * The exciseman inspected the distillery to ensure all alcohol production was properly declared and taxed. * In the 18th century, an exciseman was often an unpopular figure in communities producing illicit spirits.

Advanced Usage

• The role of the exciseman has largely been absorbed into broader customs and revenue agencies, making the specific title less common in modern administrative language.
• The term can carry historical or literary connotations, often depicting the exciseman in conflict with smugglers or producers.

Variants and Related Words

• Excise officer: A more modern and formal equivalent term.
• Tax collector: A general term for someone who collects taxes.
• Revenue agent: A broader term for a government official concerned with tax collection and enforcement.

Synonyms

• Tax collector
• Revenue officer
• Customs officer (when duties involve imported goods)

Related Idioms/Phrases

• While not a standalone idiom, the figure of the exciseman frequently appears in historical narratives and literature with the implied phrase "battling the exciseman," symbolizing conflict between authorities and tax evaders.

Noun

1. someone who collects taxes for the government