Watchman

An officer in many cities and towns, whose duty it is to watch during the night and take care of the property of the inhabitants. He possesses, generally, the common-law authority of a constable to make arrests, where there is reasonable ground to suspect a felony, though there is no proof of a felony having been committed.

1 Chit. Crim. Law, 24; 2 Hale, P. C. 96; Hawk. P. C. bk. 2, c. 13, § 1, etc.; 1 East, P. C. 303; 2 Inst. 52; Comyn, Dig. "Imprisonment" (H 4); Dane, Abr. Index; 3 Taunt. 14; 1 Barn. & Aid. 227; Peake, 89; 1 Moody, C. C. 334; 1 Esp. 294.