/dawg"woch', -wawch', dog"-/ , n.
1. Naut. either of two two-hour watches, the first from 4 to 6 P.M., the latter from 6 to 8 P.M.
2. Also called lobster shift, lobster trick, sunrise watch . Journalism Slang. the period, after the regular editions of a newspaper have gone to press, during which staff personnel remain on duty to await any new developments that may warrant an extra issue.
3. Informal. any night shift, esp. the last or latest one.
Also, dog watch .
[ 1690-1700; DOG + WATCH ]