from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Purser \Purs"er\, n. [See {Purse}, and cf. {Bursar}.]
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1. (Naut.) A commissioned officer in the navy who had charge
of the provisions, clothing, and public moneys on
shipboard; -- now called {paymaster}.
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2. A clerk on steam passenger vessels whose duty it is to
keep the accounts of the vessels, such as the receipt of
freight, tickets, etc.
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3. Colloquially, any paymaster or cashier.
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{Purser's name} (Naut.), a false name. [Slang]
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