searcher

searcher
    n 1: someone making a search or inquiry; "they are seekers after
         truth" [syn: {seeker}, {searcher}, {quester}]
    2: a customs official whose job is to search baggage or goods or
       vehicles for contraband or dutiable items
    3: large metallic blue-green beetle that preys on caterpillars;
       found in North America [syn: {searcher}, {searcher beetle},
       {Calosoma scrutator}]
    

Searcher \Search"er\, n. [Cf. OF. cercheor inspector.]
   One who, or that which, searches or examines; a seeker; an
   inquirer; an examiner; a trier. Specifically:
   (a) Formerly, an officer in London appointed to examine the
       bodies of the dead, and report the cause of death.
       --Graunt.
   (b) An officer of the customs whose business it is to search
       ships, merchandise, luggage, etc.
   (c) An inspector of leather. [Prov. Eng.]
   (d) (Gun.) An instrument for examining the bore of a cannon,
       to detect cavities.
   (e) An implement for sampling butter; a butter trier.
   (j) (Med.) An instrument for feeling after calculi in the
       bladder, etc.
       [1913 Webster]
    

SEARCHER, Eng. law. An officer of the customs, whose duty it is to examine 
and search all ships outward bound, to ascertain whether they have any 
prohibited or uncustomed goods on board.