What is "oncost"

Oncost \On"cost`\, n. (Accounting) In cost accounting, expenditure which is involved in the process of manufacture or the performance of work and which cannot be charged directly to any particular article manufactured or work done (as where different kinds of goods are produced), but must be allocated so that each kind of goods or work shall bear its proper share. [Brit.]

n. 1 Additional costs; extra expenses. 2 (context finance English) overhead (expense) 3 (context coal-mining English) The cost of upkeep, making and maintaining shafts, roads, pumping, etc. 4 (context UK dialectal Scotland English) The indirect expenditure incurred for the purpose of increasing the productive power of organised labour.