local fire brigade (Edo period)
Archaic term for a town-based firefighting organization in the Edo period, distinct from the samurai-run 定火消 (じょうびけし).
In the Edo period, the machibikeshi was a firefighting organization formed by townspeople.
Compound of 町 (まち, 'town') + 火消し (ひけし, 'fire extinguishing'). The reading びけし is a rendaku form of ひけし.