Alguacil

Alguacil (in Spanish), Aguazil or Guazil (in Portuguese) is a title often to be encountered in stories and plays in English, derived from the Arabic "وزير (wazir)", meaning "minister", preceded by the article "al".

The Alguacil among the early Spaniards was a judge, and sometimes the governor of a town or fortress, or the master at arms on a vessel. In later times the office was gradually lowered to the rank of an officer of the court, who is trusted with the service of writs and certain police duties, but he is still of higher rank than the mere Corchete or arresting officer. The title has also been given to inspectors of weights and measures in marketplaces, and similar officials.