(formerly) a petty officer of justice, especially one arresting persons for debt.
Also, catch·poll.
Origin: before 1050;Middle Englishcacchepol,late Old Englishcæcephol < Medieval Latincacepollus tax-gatherer, literally, chase-fowl, equivalent to cace- (< Old North French; see catch) + pollus < Latinpullus chick; see pullet