I. ˈpi-kət noun
Etymology: French piquet, from Middle French, from piquer to prick — more at pike
Date: circa 1702
1. : a pointed or sharpened stake, post, or pale
2.
a. : a detached body of soldiers serving to guard an army from surprise
b. : a detachment kept ready in camp for such duty
c. : sentry
3. : a person posted by a labor organization at a place of work affected by a strike ; also : a person posted for a demonstration or protest
II. verb
Date: 1745
transitive verb
1. : to enclose, fence, or fortify with pickets
2.
a. : to guard with a picket
b. : to post as a picket
3. : tether
4.
a. : to post pickets at
b. : to walk or stand in front of as a picket
intransitive verb
: to serve as a picket
• pick·et·er noun