noun
or vi·dette və̇ˈdet
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Italian vedetta, alteration (influenced by vedere to see, from Latin vidēre ) of veletta, probably from Spanish vela watch (from velar to keep watch, from Latin vigilare to wake, watch, from vigil awake, watchful) + Italian -etta -ette (from Late Latin -ita ) — more at wit , vigil
: a mounted sentinel stationed in advance of pickets to watch an enemy and give notice of danger