octroi

American  

[ok-troi, awk-trwa] / ˈɒk trɔɪ, ɔkˈtrwa /

noun

plural

octrois

1. (formerly especially in France and Italy) a local tax levied on certain articles, such as foodstuffs, on their entry into a city.

2. the place at which such a tax is collected.

3. the officials collecting it.

4. the act of a sovereign in granting to subjects a constitution or other charter.

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octroi British  

/ ˈɒktrwɑː /

noun

1. (in some European countries, esp France) a duty on various goods brought into certain towns or cities

2. the place where such a duty is collected

3. the officers responsible for its collection

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Etymology

Origin of octroi

1605–15; < French, noun derivative of octroyer to grant, partial Latinization of Old French otreier < Medieval Latin auctorizāre; see authorize

Example Sentences

These localities were free as regards customs duties, although dues of the nature of octroi charges were often levied.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 1 "Franciscans" to "French Language" by Various

France has a tobacco monopoly, registration taxes, stamp taxes, tax on windows, and innumerable local taxes, one being the octroi, or tax on goods entering cities.

From The Greater Republic A History of the United States by Morris, Charles

Taxes were also levied in kind, and there was an octroi duty upon goods entering the town.

From A Primer of Assyriology by Sayce, A. H. (Archibald Henry)

Further, every city had its own octroi duties, customs, ferry dues, highway and water rates.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 "Austria, Lower" to "Bacon" by Various

A large open space at the end of one of the bridges is selected for the collection of the octroi duties levied upon all food and produce entering the city. 

From Cities of the Dawn by Ritchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)