1. two short watches on a ship, typically from 4-6 PM and 6-8 PM, that allow the crew’s schedule to rotate
Usage: nautical; plural form

Examples

• The sailors were assigned to the dogwatches during the evening hours.
• Captain ordered the crew to split the dogwatches between the port and starboard teams.
• During the dogwatches, the ship maintained a reduced crew on deck.
• The dogwatches helped ensure that no sailor worked the same hours every day.
• First dogwatch began at four bells in the afternoon.
• The bosun announced the change of watch as the second dogwatch commenced.