Dogwatch
/ˈdɒɡ.wɒtʃ/noun
A short nautical watch, especially one of the two evening watches from 4–6 p.m. or 6–8 p.m.
Did you know?Unlike the usual four-hour watches, dogwatches were divided into two shorter evening shifts so crews would not repeatedly stand duty at the same hours.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱwṓn
“Dog; the ancient root behind many later words for dogs”
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*dugōn / *dugan
“Probable Germanic source associated with the uncertain early history of English dog”
Middle English
English
dog
“Dog; the ordinary English animal-name, whose deeper origin remains uncertain”
17th Century
English
dog watch
“A nautical evening watch; the compound appears in English maritime usage”
17th–18th Century
English
dodge watch
“A proposed related form suggesting a watch altered or divided to “dodge” the normal rotation; the explanation is not certain”
Modern English
English
dogwatch
“A short nautical watch, especially one of the divided evening watches”