noun
Often used in underworld or protection-racket contexts, referring to overseeing businesses in exchange for payment. Commonly appears in the compound みかじめ料 (protection money).
See also: 見ヶ〆料
暴力団が飲食店からみかじめ料を取っている。
The gang collects protection money from restaurants.
みかじめを断ったら店に嫌がらせをされた。
When I refused to pay protection money, my shop was harassed.
The exact derivation is uncertain. The kanji 見 (see) and 〆 (shorthand for 締め, 'tighten/close') suggest 'watching over and controlling', fitting the supervision meaning.