[bai.liff] n [ME baillif, bailie, fr. OF baillif, fr. bail custody, jurisdiction--more at bail] (14c) 1 a: an official employed by a British sheriff to serve writs and make arrests and executions b: a minor officer of some U.S. courts usu. serving as a messenger or usher
2. chiefly Brit: one who manages an estate or farm -- bai.liff.ship n