Watchman
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
an officer in many cities and towns whose duty it is to watch during the night and take care of the property of the inhabible (q. v.) to make arrests, where is'there is reasonable ground to suspect a felony, though there is no proof ur a felony having been committed.
1 Chit. Cr. L. 24; 2 Hale, 96; Hawk. B. 2, c. 13, s. 1, &c.; East, P. C. 303; 2 Inst. 52; Com. Dig. Imprisonment, (H 4.); Dane’s Ab. Index, h. t.