chowkidar

English

Etymology

Hindi.

Noun

chowkidar (plural chowkidars)

1. (India) watchman, caretaker; one who inhabits a "chowki", police station or guard house.
   • 1969, H. R. F. Keating, Inspector Ghote plays a joker:

     ... And tell me do you think it was he himself who impersonated the policeman who so conveniently took over the guarding of the horse when the chowkidar's house was set on fire." "That is the chowkidar guarding the stables?" Ghote asked.

Alternative forms

• chokedar

References

• Glossary to accompany Salman Rushdie