king's men

Noun

king's man (plural king's men)

1. A Loyalist during the American Revolution, or any supporter of the king.
   • The owner of the grist mill, Smith Bowen, was a patriot, but his father was thought to have Tory tendencies, and when they came to burn the mill he ran out waving his hands and crying, "Spare the mill for I am a King's man."1894, Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, page 424

   Synonyms:

   Loyalist

2. A customs officer, or other officer appointed by the English Crown.
   • […] "king's man" was a customs officer.1990, Sarah Gibbings, “The Tie: Trends and Traditions”, in Barron's, page 84
3. (obsolete) A handkerchief or neckerchief with a yellow pattern on a green background.
   • The ‘Kingsmen’ they call the best handkerchiefs—those that have the pretty-looking flowers on them. Some are only worth 4d. or 5d., some’s not worth taking.1851, Henry Mayhew, London Labour and the London Poor, published 1861