The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Purser \Purs"er\, n. [See Purse, and cf. Bursar.]
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   1. (Naut.) A commissioned officer in the navy who had charge
      of the provisions, clothing, and public moneys on
      shipboard; -- now called paymaster.
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   2. A clerk on steam passenger vessels whose duty it is to
      keep the accounts of the vessels, such as the receipt of
      freight, tickets, etc.
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   3. Colloquially, any paymaster or cashier.
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   Purser's name (Naut.), a false name. [Slang]
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