Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Paymaster-general \Pay"mas`ter-gen"er*al\
   1.
      (a) (Mil.) In the United States army, an officer of the
          rank of brigadier general, who commands the pay
          department, which is charged with the payment of the
          officers and men.
      (b) (Nav.) In the United States navy, the Chief of the
          Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, who has charge of
          the payment of officers and men and their clothing and
          subsistence. He has the rank of rear admiral.

   2. In Great Britain, an officer of the Treasury who makes all
      payments and disbursements, civil as well as military. He
      is a member of the ministry, but not of the cabinet.