Where does “publicans” come from?

publicans (Latin) comes from Latin publicō, from Latin pūblicus, from Old Latin poplicus, from Latin pōpulus, from Proto-Italic poplos — army.

publicans (Latin): confiscating

Definitions

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Latin	publicō	—
2	Latin	pūblicus	—
3	Old Latin	poplicus	Alternative form of publicus
4	Latin	pōpulus	—
5	Proto-Italic	poplos	army

publicans — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer