In France, formerly, a provost was an inferior judge who had cognizance
of civil causes. The grand provost of France, or of the household, had
jurisdiction in the king's house, and over its officers.
Provost marshal (often pronounced &?;). (a) (Mil.) An officer appointed
in every army, in the field, to secure the prisoners confined on
charges of a general nature. He also performs such other duties
pertaining to police and discipline as the regulations of the service
or the commander's orders impose upon him. (b) (Nav.) An officer who
has charge of prisoners on trial by court-martial, serves notices to
witnesses, etc.
Prov"ost*ship, n. The office of a provost.
Prow (?), n. [F. proue (cf. Sp. & Pg. proa, It. prua), L. prora, Gr.
&?;, akin to &?; before. See Pro-, and cf. Prore.] The fore part of a
vessel; the bow; the stem; hence, the vessel itself. Wordsworth.
The floating vessel swum Uplifted, and secure with beaked prow rode
tilting o'er the waves.
Milton.
Prow (?), n. See Proa.
Prow, a. [Compar. Prower (?); superl. Prowest.] [OF. prou, preu, F.
preux, fr. L. pro, prod, in prodesse to be useful. See Pro-, and cf.
Prude.] Valiant; brave; gallant; courageous. [Archaic] Tennyson.
The prowest knight that ever field did fight.
Spenser.
Prow, n. [OE. & OF. prou. See Prow, a.] Benefit; profit; good;
advantage. [Obs.]
That shall be for your hele and for your prow.
Chaucer.
Prow"ess (?), n. [OF. proece, proesce, F. prouesse. See Prow, a.]
Distinguished bravery; valor; especially, military bravery and skill;
gallantry; intrepidity; fearlessness. Chaucer. Sir P. Sidney.
He by his prowess conquered all France.
Shak.
Prowl (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prowled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prowling.]
[OE. prollen to search about; of uncertain origin, perh. for proglen, a
dim. of prog to beg, or proke to poke. Cf. Proke.] 1. To rove over,
through, or about in a stealthy manner; esp., to search in, as for prey
or booty.
He prowls each place, still in new colors decked.
Sir P. Sidney.