c. 1200, "one who guards," from Old North French wardein, from Frankish *warding- (which became Old French guardenc), from Proto-Germanic *wardon "to watch, guard" (see ward (v.)). Meaning "governor of a prison" is recorded from c. 1300.
c. 1200, "one who guards," from Old North French wardein, from Frankish *warding- (which became Old French guardenc), from Proto-Germanic *wardon "to watch, guard" (see ward (v.)). Meaning "governor of a prison" is recorded from c. 1300.