Word Origin & History
patrol1664, "action of going the rounds" (of a military camp, etc.), from Fr. patrouille "a night watch" (1539), from patrouiller "go the rounds to watch or guard," originally "tramp through the mud," probably soldiers' slang, from O.Fr. patouiller "paddle in water," probably from pate "paw, foot" (see
patois). Compare paddlefoot, World War II U.S. Army slang for "infantry soldier." Meaning "those who go on a patrol" is from 1670. Sense of "detachment of soldiers sent out to scout the countryside, the enemy, etc." is attested from 1702. The verb first recorded 1691. Patrolman "police constable on a particular beat" is first recorded 1879, Amer.Eng.