Anglo-Ind. Also 7 chukey, chocky, 7–9 chowkie, -kee, 9 chokey, choakee. [Hindī chaukī shed, watch-house, station, lock-up.]
1. A custom or toll station, in India (in quot. 1608 erroneously applied to the toll itself); a station for palankin-bearers, horses, etc., a guard-house; a police-station.
1608. Saris, in Purchas, Pilgr., I. 391 (Y.). The Kings Custome called Chukey.
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 100 (Y.). At every gate, stands a Chocky, or Watch to receive Toll. Ibid., 410. A Chowkie, i.e. a Shed where the Customer keeps a Watch to take Custom.
1810. Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., I. 326. Duties are levied at the different chokeys close to the Island.
1810. T. Williamson, E. Ind. Vade-mecum, I. 297 (Y.). Chokies, or patrole stations.
1845. Stocqueler, Hand-bk. Brit. India (1854), 192. Solitary chowkies.
2. A police ‘station’ or lock-up (in India).
1866. Livingstone, Jrnl. (1873), I. iii. 77. The idea of the great Mataka in ‘chokee’ made him wince.
1869. Times of India, 4 Jan. He was taken to the chowkey close by.
b. In this sense also English slang, and by association with choke, variously misused. [Cf. CHOKE sb.1 1 b, CHOKER 3.]
1873. Slang Dict., Chokey is also very vulgar slang for prison.
1877. Besant & Rice, Son of Vulc., II. vi. 223. I’ll cool his heels in chokee for a month, and warm them on the treadmill afterwards.
1884. Daily News, 24 Sept., 3/1. Wright … would get two or three days ‘choky,’ as it is called (i.e., bread and water).
