What is "poll book"

Poll \Poll\, n. [Akin to LG. polle the head, the crest of a bird, the top of a tree, OD. pol, polle, Dan. puld the crown of a hat.]

1. The head; the back part of the head. ``All flaxen was his poll.''
   --Shak.

2. A number or aggregate of heads; a list or register of heads or individuals.

   We are the greater poll, and in true fear They gave us our demands.
   --Shak.

   The muster file, rotten and sound, upon my life, amounts not to fifteen thousand poll.
   --Shak.

3. Specifically, the register of the names of electors who may vote in an election.

4. The casting or recording of the votes of registered electors; as, the close of the poll.

   All soldiers quartered in place are to remove . . . and not to return till one day after the poll is ended.
   --Blackstone.

5. pl. The place where the votes are cast or recorded; as, to go to the polls.

6. The broad end of a hammer; the but of an ax.

7. (Zo["o]l.) The European chub. See Pollard, 3 (a) .

   Poll book, a register of persons entitled to vote at an election.

   Poll evil (Far.), an inflammatory swelling or abscess on a horse's head, confined beneath the great ligament of the neck.

   Poll pick (Mining), a pole having a heavy spike on the end, forming a kind of crowbar.

   Poll tax, a tax levied by the head, or poll; a capitation tax.

n. 1 An official register, formerly used to record votes at an election. 2 Lists of voters and who they voted for at Parliamentary and other elections, before the introduction of the secret ballot.