Obs. Also Cap-. [app. an adaptation of some foreign title in cap or capo, meaning ‘head merchant’ or ‘head of the traders.’] An old name for the supercargo in early voyages; also the head merchant in a factory. (Smyth.)
1613. Purchas, Pilgr., Descr. India (1864), 156. The Cape-Merchant Floris performed a worthy exploit.
1627. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., viii. 34. The Cape-merchant or Purser hath the charge of all the Carragasoune or merchandize.
1697. Dampier, Voy. (1729), I. 272. Cape-Merchant, or Super-Cargo of Capt. Swan’s Ship.
1708. Kersey, Cap-Merchant.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
b. fig.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 138 b. They … did admitte Grace to be cape marchaunt (as it were) with Free-will.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, 19. The French … were the cape-merchants in this adventure [Crusades].
1649. Selden, Laws Eng., II. vii. (1739), 39. The King shewed himself the Cape-Merchant of the world.
