Extortion, extracting value from legitimate business transactions/operations while providing little to no value, simply because you can. Doesn't come from modern
highways, comes from 'highwaymen' who would threaten
travellers and merchants on 'highways' (any kind of road up until the 19th century) and demand payment for use of the road, even though it was not theirs to demand a toll on.
These mafia-type guys came to my store and demanded
payment for 'protection', it's highway robbery.
My rent is highway robbery, it's gone up way too much and the
landlord is threatening to
kick me out otherwise.