I. pə.ˈtrōl, dial ˈpad.əˌrōl noun
( -s )
Etymology: French patrouille, from patrouiller
1.
a. : the action of going the rounds along a chain of sentinels or outguards to ensure greater security from attack or to check disorder
b. : the guard or men who go the rounds
c. : a detachment of two or more men employed for reconnaissance, security, or combat
d. : a unit (as of police cars, ships, or airplanes) assigned to any of various patrol duties
2.
a. : the perambulation of a district or beat to watch or guard it
b. : the men assigned to this duty
coast patrol
fire patrol
3.
a. : a watchful guardianship
lawyers do have peculiar responsibilities for maintaining a vigilant patrol of the domestic scene against infractions of these fundamental constitutional rights — W.O.Douglas
b. : a routine of regular observation
has discovered three supernovae in extragalactic nebulae in his … camera patrol — American Year Book
4.
a. : a subdivision of a boy scout troop made up of two or more boys
b. : a subdivision of a girl scout troop usually composed of from six to eight girls
II. verb
( patrolled ; patrolled ; patrolling ; patrols )
Etymology: French patrouiller, from Middle French patouiller, patrouiller to paw or tramp around in the mud, from patte, pate paw, hoof + -ouiller, v. suffix — more at patten
intransitive verb
1. : to cover the beat of a military, police, or other guard on foot or in a vehicle
2. : to carry out any of various military, naval, or air patrol missions
carrier-based aircraft patrolled above — Newsweek
transitive verb
: to carry out a patrol of : make routine observations of for purposes of defense or protection
put into service patrolling the north Atlantic coast — H.A.Chippendale