Tariff

n. [Fr. tarif, Sp. & Pg. tarifa, It. tariffa, from Ar. ta'rif, information, explanation, definition, from a'rafa, to know, to inform, explain.] (Com.) (a.) Properly, a list or table of goods with the duties or customs to be paid for the same, either on importation or exportation, whether such duties are imposed by the government of a country, or agreed on by the princes or governments of two countries holding commerce with each other. (b.) A list or table of duties or customs to be paid on goods imported or exported.

☞ This word is said, by some authors, to be derived from Tarifa, a town in Spain, at the entrance of the Straits of Gibraltar, where duties were formerly collected.