[con.sta.ble] n [ME conestable, fr. OF, fr. LL comes stabuli, lit., officer of the stable] (13c) 1: a high officer of a medieval royal or noble household
2: the warden or governor of a royal castle or a fortified town 3 a: a public officer usually of a town or township responsible for keeping the peace and for minor judicial duties b Brit : police officer; esp: one ranking below sergeant