1. a tax or duty levied on goods entering a city or town, especially in France and some other countries
Usage: historical; chiefly European
2. the place or office where such a tax is collected
Usage: historical

Examples

• The merchant had to pay an octroi when bringing wine into the city.
• Goods passing through the octroi were subject to inspection and taxation.
• The octroi system was common in French cities during the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Travelers complained about the high octroi fees at the town entrance.
• The government abolished the octroi in favor of a more modern tax system.