dogwatch, n.

Nautical. A short watch of two hours’ duration instead of the usual four, from 4.00–6.00 p.m. or 6.00–8.00 p.m., that enables the turn of the night watch to be changed every twenty-four hours

From 1657
We espied four and thirty ships more, under a Convoye, all coming from Brasil in the first of the Doggs-watch, being about 38 degrees 40 minuts Loevert.
Publick Intelligencer No. 109. 101.   (definition from theOxford English Dictionary)

 

On early seagoing vessels a system of watchkeeping developed as it became obvious that always having someone on the lookout was essential for the survival of the ship. These observational periods, or “watches” were eventually formalized into four-hour shifts that are now know as the basic ships watches. The dog watches were created to allow for everyone to eat and for the shifts to rotate throughout the day. The shifts are as follows:

2000 – 0000 First Watch

0000 – 0400 Middle Watch

0400-0800 Morning Watch

0800 – 1200 Forenoon Watch

1200 – 1600 Afternoon Watch

1600 – 1800 First Dog Watch

1800 – 2000 Second Dog Watch

The word “dogwatch” can be spelled as a singular word, as we do, although sometimes the watches are written as separate words.

The Dogwatch Company has chosen the dogwatch as a name because it is a symbol of getting outside and observing the world. It also reflects the breadth of our interests in the natural world and the things that help us experience it, from dogs to watches and everything in between.

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