watcher
UK: ˈwɒtʃə | US: ˈwɑːtʃər
n. a person who observes or monitors something attentively
n. a guard or sentinel responsible for keeping watch
n. (informal) a fan or follower of a particular subject (e.g., "bird watcher")
The word "watcher" combines the verb "watch" (from Old English wæccan, meaning "to be awake, keep vigil") with the agentive suffix "-er" (from Old English -ere), denoting someone who performs an action. The term originally referred to guards or sentinels but expanded to include observers in broader contexts, reflecting its Germanic roots in vigilance and attention.
The night watcher patrolled the warehouse to ensure security.
As a weather watcher, she recorded daily rainfall measurements.
The cat sat by the window, a silent watcher of the street below.
Ancient towers often had watchers to spot approaching enemies.
He became an avid star watcher after buying his first telescope.