publican
noun
pub·li·can ˈpə-bli-kən 
1
a
: a Jewish tax collector for the ancient Romans
b
: a collector of taxes or tribute
2
chiefly British : the licensee of a public house
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The mystifying rejection weighs heavily on Pádraic at the bar, where questions about his friend’s absence from the publican, Jonjo (Pat Shortt), rub salt into the wound. 
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2022 In British usage, a publican is someone who owns a pub. Julie Carr Smyth, chicagotribune.com, 27 Feb. 2021 In the kitchen there was Rob, the publican, who had basically given up cooking, and Andy, a northerner who was miserable and really the guy in charge of the kitchen. Dan Hunter, Bon Appetit, 5 May 2017
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2022 In British usage, a publican is someone who owns a pub. Julie Carr Smyth, chicagotribune.com, 27 Feb. 2021 In the kitchen there was Rob, the publican, who had basically given up cooking, and Andy, a northerner who was miserable and really the guy in charge of the kitchen. Dan Hunter, Bon Appetit, 5 May 2017 Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin publicanus tax farmer, from publicum public revenue, from neuter of publicus
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a