pointsman
(ˈpɔɪntsmən)
[f. point n.1 + man n.1]
1. A man who has charge of the points on a railway: see point n.1 B. 3 f.
| 1849 Sir F. B. Head Stokers & Pokers viii. (1851) 79 To increase precaution, the pointsman has always the signal of danger on. 1878 F. S. Williams Midl. Railw. 624 Pointsmen have very responsible duties. |
2. A police constable stationed on point-duty.
| 1883 Globe 5 Apr. 5/1 Supplemental police ‘pointsmen’ have been placed at several of the public buildings. 1888 Pall Mall G. 12 Oct., If the ‘point’ system is retained, a pointsman ought to be kept on duty throughout the night. |
So ˈpointswoman (cf. sense 1).
| 1865 A. Munby Diary 17 Mar. in M. Hiley Victorian Working Women (1979) ii. i. 86/2 In the cutting I found a girl..the pointswoman, whose duty it is to mind the rails whenever a train of coalwaggons goes by. 1871 Miss Mulock Fair France ii. 66 Much it amazed us to see continually on French railways these female officials, down to signalwomen and pointswomen. |