coroner

Meanings

1. A public official who presides over an inquest into unnatural deaths, and who may have (or historically had) additional powers such as investigating cases of treasure trove.
2. A medical doctor who performs autopsies and determines time and cause of death from a scientific standpoint.
3. The administrative head of a sheading.

Etymology

From Middle English coroner, from Old French curuner, from Medieval Latin custōs placitōrum corōnae (“guardian of the crown's pleas”). The function was originally to protect royal properties.