tipstaff

UK: /ˈtɪpˌstɑːf/ US: (tip′staf′, -stäf′)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tip•staff  (tip′staf′, -stäf′), n., pl. -staves (-stāvz′), -staffs. 

1. an attendant or crier in a court of law.
2. a staff tipped with metal, formerly carried as a badge of office, as by a constable.
3. any official who carried such a staff.

• 1535–45; shortened form of earlier tipped staff; see tip¹, -ed³, staff¹

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tipstaff / ˈtɪpˌstɑːf/ noun

1. a court official having miscellaneous duties, mostly concerned with the maintenance of order in court
2. a metal-tipped staff formerly used as a symbol of office

Etymology: 16th Century tipped staff; see tip¹, staff¹