vedette

UK: /vɪˈdɛt/ US: (vi det′)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ve•dette  (vi det′), n. (formerly)

1. Nautical Also called vedette′ boat′. a small naval launch used for scouting.
2. Military a mounted sentry in advance of the outposts of an army.

Also, vidette. 

• Italian vedetta outlook where a sentinel is posted, alteration of earlier veletta (of debated origin, originally) by association with vedere to see; see -ette
• French
• 1680–90

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

vedette / vɪˈdɛt/ noun

1. Also called: vedette boat a small patrol vessel
2. Also called: vidette a mounted sentry posted forward of a formation's position

Etymology: 17th Century: from French, from Italian vedetta (influenced by vedere to see), from earlier veletta, perhaps from Spanish vela watch, from velar to keep vigil, from Latin vigilāre