chout

• chowt

Borrowed from Marathi चौथ (cauth, “one quarter”).

• Rhymes: -aʊt

chout (plural chouts)

1. (British India, historical) An assessment equal to a quarter of the revenue, levied by the Marathas from other Indian kingdoms as compensation for being exempted from plunder.
   • 1817, James Mill, The History of British India:

     An officer , as collector of chout , was established on the part of the Peshwa , and another on the part of the Gaekwar princes , who , under the pretence of its affecting the revenues , and hence the Mahratta chout , interfered with every act of administration […]

• couth, touch