Gabel

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Gabel \Ga"bel\, n. [F. gabelle, LL. gabella, gabulum, gablum; of
     uncertain origin. Cf.{Gavel} tribute.] (O. Eng. Law)
     A rent, service, tribute, custom, tax, impost, or duty; an
     excise. --Burrill.
     [1913 Webster]
  


           He enables St. Peter to pay his gabel by the ministry
           of a fish.                               --Jer. Taylor.
     [1913 Webster]

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  GABEL. A tax, imposition, or duty. This word is said to have the same 
  signification that gabelle formerly had in France. Cunn. Dict. h. t. But 
  this seems to be an error for gabelle signified in that country, previously 
  to its revolution, a duty upon salt. Merl. Rep. h. t. Lord Coke says, that 
  gabel or gavel, gablum, gabellum, gabelletum, galbelletum, and gavillettum 
  signify a rent, duty, or service, yielded or done to the king or any other 
  lord. Co. Litt. 142, a.