Watchman
Defined in 4 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Bouvier (1839)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
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.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
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 Chitty, Cr. Law 24; IB. & Aid. 227. See Arrest.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
John Bouvier · 1839
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.