— patroller , n.
/peuh trohl"/ , v. , patrolled, patrolling , n.
v.i.
1. (of a police officer, soldier, etc.) to pass along a road, beat, etc., or around or through a specified area in order to maintain order and security.
v.t.
2. to maintain the order and security of (a road, beat, area, etc.) by passing along or through it.
n.
3. a person or group of persons assigned to patrol an area, road, etc.
4. an automobile, ship, plane, squadron, fleet, etc., assigned to patrol an area.
5. Mil. a detachment of two or more persons, often a squad or platoon, detailed for reconnaissance or combat.
6. the act of patrolling.
7. See patrol wagon .
8. (in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts) a subdivision of a troop, usually consisting of about eight members.
[ 1655-65; patrouille (n.), patrouiller (v.) patrol, orig. a pawing (n.), to paw (v.) in mud; deriv. (with suffixal -ouille ) of patte paw; -r- unexplained ]