dogwatch

UK: /ˈdɒɡˌwɒtʃ/ US: (dôg′woch′, -wôch′, dog′-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dog•watch  (dôg′woch′, -wôch′, dog′-), n. 

1. Nautical, Naval Terms either of two two-hour watches, the first from 4 to 6 p.m., the latter from 6 to 8 p.m.
2. Journalism Also called lobster shift, lobster trick, sunrise watch. the period, after the regular editions of a newspaper have gone to press, during which staff personnel remain on duty to await any new developments that may warrant an extra issue.
3. Informal Terms any night shift, esp. the last or latest one.

Also, dog′ watch′. 

• dog + watch 1690–1700

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dogwatch / ˈdɒɡˌwɒtʃ/ noun

1. either of two two-hour watches aboard ship, from four to six p.m. or from six to eight p.m.