Ward'er, n.

n. [O. Fr. gardeor.]

1. One who wards or keeps; a keeper; a guard. “The warders of the gate.” Dryden.
2. A truncheon or staff of command carried by a king or any commander-in-chief, the throwing down of which seems to have been a solemn act of prohibition to stay proceedings. Nares.

When, lo! the king suddenly changed his mind, Casts down his warder to arrest them there. Daniel. ☞ A different motion of the warder has an opposite effect. We find throwing it up employed as the signal for a charge. Nares. Wafting his warder thrice about his head, He cast it up with his auspicious hand, Which was the signal, through the English spread, That they should charge. Drayton.