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Specifically, one who guards a building, or the streets of a city, by night. Watchman beetle (Zoöl.), the European dor. -- Watchman's clock, a watchman's detector in which the apparatus for recording the times of visiting several stations is contained within a single clock. -- Watchman's detector, or Watchman's time…

A round or course which is frequently gone over; as, a watchman's beat.

ngs a bell, especially to give notice of anything in the streets. Formerly, also, a night watchman who called the hours. Milton.

A night watchman; -- an old name.

A watchman; an officer of customs or police. [India]

See under Council. -- City court, The municipal court of a city. [U. S.] -- City ward, a watchman, or the collective watchmen, of a city. [Obs.] Fairfax.

One who patrols; a watchman; especially, a policeman who patrols a particular precinct of a town or city.

ially, one freguently or regulary traversed; also, the act of traversing a circuit; as, a watchman's round; the rounds of the postman.

to spring an arcg over a lintel. -- To spring a rattle, to cause a rattle to sound. See Watchman's rattle, under Watchman. -- To spring the luff (Naut.), to ease the helm, and sail nearer to the wind than before; -- said of a vessel. Mar. Dict. -- To spring a mast or spar (Naut.), to strain it so that it is unservi…

A blow or knock, as with something blunt or heavy; a heavy fall. The watchman gave so great a thump at my door, that I awaked at the knock. Tatler.

One who watches; a watchman. [Obs.]

A keeper; a guardian; a watchman. He called to the warden on the . . . battlements. Sir. W. Scott.

One who watches, or those who watch; a watchman, or a body of watchmen; a sentry; a guard. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as sure as ye can. Matt. xxvii. 65.