Historically, a police officer or law enforcer, especially one involved in collecting debts or making arrests; often associated with corrupt or oppressive officials.
From Middle English 'cacchepol,' possibly from 'catch' + 'pole' (a staff or stick), though the etymology is debated. Medieval term for a constable or bailiff, often used derogatorily.
Catchpoles were medieval and early modern law enforcers so hated for their debt-collection tactics and brutality that their name became a byword for corruption and tyranny. Robin Hood stories feature catchpoles as the villains—they represent unjust authority.
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