night watchman; night guard
Refers to a person who patrols or guards a building or area at night. Often used in contexts like security companies, museums, or historical settings.
The night watchman patrols around the building every night.
The museum hires a night guard to protect its valuable exhibits.
night-watchman state; minarchy
Compound of 夜 (night) and 警 (guard/watch). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the meaning is transparent from the kanji.