Beadle

bēd′l, n. a mace-bearer (esp. of the ' bedels ' or ' bedells ,' official attendants of the Oxford and Cambridge vice-chancellors): a petty officer of a church, college, parish, .: a parish officer with the power of punishing petty offenders: in Scotland, used of the 'church-officer' attending on the clergyman: ( obs. ) a me enger or crier of a court.— ns. Bead′ledom , Bead′lehood , stupid officiousne ; Bead′leship , Bed′elship , the office of beadle or bedel. [A.S. bydel — béodan , to proclaim, to bid.]