hayward
n. countablen. an official who looked after fences and hedges in a village a long time ago. This person made sure that farm animals did not wander into the wrong fields.
n. an officer formerly appointed by a manor or township to maintain fences and ensure cattle did not stray into enclosed grain fields. This role is largely obsolete and primarily encountered in historical or legal texts.
The hayward checked the fences every morning to protect the crops.
In medieval English villages, the hayward was responsible for impounding any stray animals found in the common fields.
The records of the manorial court indicate that the hayward was frequently called to testify regarding broken hedges and the subsequent damage to the lord's harvest.
Primarily archaic or historical; often survives as a surname in English-speaking countries.