Bläck'-māil, n.

n. 1. A certain rate of money, corn, cattle, or other thing, anciently paid, in the north of England and south of Scotland, to certain men, who were allied to robbers, to be by them protected from pillage. “To levy black-mail.” W. Scott.

2. Extortion of money from a person by threats of accusation or exposure, or of opposition in the public prints. [U. S.] Bartlett.
3. Black-rent, or rents paid in corn or flesh.