Cocketing

/ˈkɒk.ə.tɪŋ/ noun

Definition

The process of official inspection and sealing of goods for export; the act of issuing customs or trade approval documents (archaic).

Etymology

From cocket (official seal or customs mark) + -ing (gerund/present participle suffix). This term describes the administrative practice of inspecting and marking merchandise in medieval trade.

Kelly Says

Medieval trade was heavily regulated, and 'cocketing' was part of an elaborate system to ensure merchants paid their taxes and goods met standards. The paper trail of medieval commerce was surprisingly sophisticated—officials kept records of what was cocketed and when, creating some of the earliest customs records we have.

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