society > law > law enforcement > law-enforcement or peace-officer > [noun] > body of men summoned as posse (3)
Law. power of the county (also †shire) n. = posse comitatus, n. Now historical.
The population of able-bodied men above the age of fifteen in a county whom the sheriff may summon to repress a riot, pursue felons, etc.; a body of…
The population of local able-bodied men whom a sheriff may summon to repress a riot, pursue felons, etc. In later use usually (chiefly U.S.): a…