Gabel
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
a tax, imposition or duty. This word is said to have the same signification that gubelle 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. Rép. bh. 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 otherlord.
Co. Litt. 142, a.