I. ˈrir-ˌwȯrd noun
Etymology: Middle English rerewarde, from Anglo-French rereguard, rerewarde rear guard
Date: 14th century
: rear ; especially : the rear division (as of an army)
II. -wərd adjective
Etymology: rear (II) + -ward
Date: 1598
1. : located at, near, or toward the rear
2. : directed toward the rear
a rearward glance
III. -wərd adverb
also rear·wards -wərdz
Date: 1625
: at, near, or toward the rear : backward
looking rearward