Patrol

n. [Fr. patrouille, O. Fr. patouille, Sp. patrulla, Pg. patrulha, It. pattuglia. See infra.]

1Sense 1. (Mil.) A walking or marching round of a guard in the night, to watch and observe what passes, and to secure the peace and safety of a camp or other place.

2Sense 2. The guard or persons who go the rounds for observation; a detachment whose duty it is to patrol.

In France there is an army of patrols to secure her fiscal regulations. Hamilton.

[imp. & p. p. PATROLLED; p. pr. & vb. n. PATROLLING.] [Fr. patrouiller, O. & Prov. Fr. patouiller, to paddle, to paw about, to patrol, from patte, a paw; Sp. patrullar, to patrol, patullar, to paddle.] To go the rounds in a camp or garrison; to march about and observe what passes, as a guard.