/tip"staf', -stahf'/ , n. , pl. tipstaves /-stayvz'/ , tipstaffs .
1. an attendant or crier in a court of law.
2. a staff tipped with metal, formerly carried as a badge of office, as by a constable.
3. any official who carried such a staff.
[ 1535-45; shortened form of earlier tipped staff; see TIP 1 , -ED 3 , STAFF 1 ]