woodward

Inherited from Middle English wodeward, from Old English wuduweard; equivalent to wood +‎ ward.

woodward (plural woodwards)

1. (archaic) A warden of a wood.
   • 1858, H. G. Nicholls, The Forest of Dean‎:

     A sergeantry, called woodward of the Lee Baile, was then held by John Throckmorton, Esq. In the reign of Henry VIII. the office of Bleysbale and forestership of fee was filled by William Alberton.

   • 1902, The Mabinogion Vol. 1 (of 3)‎:

     And he is not a comely man, but on the contrary he is exceedingly ill favoured; and he is the woodward of that wood.

woodward

1. Alternative form of wodeward