hoppos

Noun

hoppo (countable and uncountable, plural hoppos or hoppoes)

1. (archaic, capitalized, historical, sometimes) The imperial Chinese board of revenue, especially its branch in Guangzhou during the Qing Dynasty.
   • On the way two Chinese buildings were pointed out to us as hoppo, of custom-houses, at both which all boats […] are obliged to stop and undergo a strict search or examination by a petty mandarin.c. 1808, William Hickey, Memoirs of a Georgian Rake, page 108
2. (archaic, historical) An imperial Chinese customs officer, especially (sometimes capitalized) the chief customs officer for the South China Sea based in Guangzhou during the Qing Dynasty.
   • The Hoppos, who look on Europe Ships as a great branch of their Profits, will give you all the fair Words imaginable.1711, Charles Lockyer, An Account of the Trade in India..., page 101

See all 3 meanings of hoppo