[ 'kru:pɪə , -pɪeɪ ]
■ noun
1》 the person in charge of a gaming table, gathering in and paying out money or tokens.
2》 historical the assistant chairman at a public dinner.
Origin
C18 (denoting a person standing behind a gambler to give advice): Fr., from OFr. cropier 'pillion rider', related to OFr. croupe (see croup 2 ).