E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cor’oner
means properly the crown-officer. In Saxon times it was his duty to collect the Crown revenues; next, to take charge of Crown pleas; but at present to uphold the paternal solicitude of the Crown by searching into all cases of sudden or suspicious death. (Vulgo, crowner; Latin, coro’na, the crown.)
