The right to charge tolls to cross a bridge. The OldEngl. form was brudtholl, i.e. the right of toll; the Latin term was pontagium. In return the toller was required to maintain the bridge - a requirement frequently ignored. Often a small chapel was attached to a bridge. Hermits were known to take residence in such chapels and were givens alms by travellers, though often the *hermit was an unlicensed impostor. [< Lat. pons = a bridge] -
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.