COP

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ~p Date: before 12th century top , crest , a cylindrical or conical mass of thread, yarn, or roving wound on a quill or tube, II. verb (~ped; ~ping) see: cheap Date: 1704 transitive verb to get hold of ; catch , capture , steal , swipe , adopt 2 , intransitive verb admit 2b, III. noun Etymology: short for 3~per Date: 1859 police officer , IV. abbreviation ~per, ~ulative, ~y, ~yright