Jack ketch

[Sarah]

A public executioner, or hangman. [Eng.]The manor of Tyburn was formerly held by Richard Jaquett, wherefelons for a long time were executed; from whence we have Jack Ketch.Lloyd's MS., British Museum.[Monmouth] then accosted John Ketch, the executioner, a wretch whohad butchered many brave and noble victims, and whose name has,during a century and a half, been vulgarly given to all who havesucceeded him in his odious office. Macaulay.