†(a) a staff borne by a commanding officer, a truncheon; (b) a staff to lead a bull by means of a ring through its nose.

a rod of vine-wood, spec. as the staff of a Roman centurion.

= vine-rod n.

a weapon serving as a ‘leading-staff’.

an officer's cane or stick; the short cane or stick carried by soldiers when walking out.

= swagger-stick n.

a stick or truncheon carried by a police officer, prison guard, etc.