[f. JAVELIN sb. + MAN.]
1. One of a body of men in the retinue of a sheriff who carried spears or pikes (JAVELIN sb. 2), and escorted the judges at the assizes.
1705. Lond. Gaz., No. 4154/1. The High Sheriff of Hampshire, with about 90 Javelin Men,… received Her Majesty.
1832. Boston Herald, 7 Feb., 3/3. The javlin-men and special constables ranged themselves in front of the Court-house.
1871. Besant & Rice, Ready Money Mortiboy, xiii. The twelve javelin men, walking in martial array by the side of the carriage.
1890. Daily News, 16 July, 2/8. An amendment, practically abolishing javelin men and substituting police was inserted on the motion of Lord Belper.
2. A soldier armed with a javelin; = JAVELINEER 1.
1846. H. Torrens, On Milit. Lit. & Hist., I. 76. Clouds of skirmishers, javelin-men, bowyers, and slingers.
1850. Merivale, Rom. Emp., vi. (1865), I. 276. Cæsar brought into the field javelinmen from Numidia.
