Brewer's: Catchpole

A constable; a law officer whose business it was to apprehend criminals. Pole or poll means head, person; and the word means one who catches persons by the poll or neck. This was done by means of an instrument something like a shepherd's crook.

“Cacchepoles, from catch and pole, because these officers lay hold of a man's neck.” —Wiclif: New Testament (Acts xvi., Glossary).

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