ˈpəblə̇kən, -lēk- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French publicain, publican, from Latin publicanus, from publicum public revenue (from neuter of publicus public) + -anus -an — more at public
1.
a. : a Jewish tax collector for the ancient Romans
publicans were outcasts among the Jews, because, having accepted the office under the Roman government … they were regarded as traitors — F.W.Robertson
b. : one estranged from the church
I firmly believe this church … has power to exclude him and to hold him as a publican and heathen — A.C.McGiffert
c. : any collector of taxes or tribute
outrages and exactions such as have, in every age, made the name of publican a proverb for all that is most hateful — T.B.Macaulay
2. chiefly Britain : the keeper of a public house
the local publican produced trays of foaming stout — E.J.Gates