n. 1 a sheriff's officer who executes writs and processes and carries out distraints and arrests. 2 Brit. the agent or steward of a landlord. 3 US an official in a court of law who keeps order, looks after prisoners, etc. 4 Brit. (hist. except in formal titles) the sovereign's representative in a district, esp. the chief officer of a hundred. 5 the first civil officer in the Channel Islands.
[ ME f. OF baillif ult. f. L bajulus carrier, manager ]