Obs. [In F. caphar, a. Arab. khafārah defence, premium for defence or protection, f. khafara to protect, patronize.] See quot.
1703. Maundrell, Journ. Jerus. (1732), 4. A place where we paid our first Caphar. Ibid., 119. The excessive demand made upon us by the Caphar-men.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., Caphar, a toll, or duty imposed by the Turks on the Christian merchants, who carry or send merchandise from Aleppo to Jerusalem.
