\Pos"se com`i*ta"tus\ [L. posse to be able, to
have power + LL. comitatus a county, from comes, comitis, a
count. See {County}, and {Power}.]
1. (Law) The power of the county, or the citizens who may be
   summoned by the sheriff to assist the authorities in
   suppressing a riot, or executing any legal precept which
   is forcibly opposed. --Blackstone.
2. A collection of people; a throng; a rabble. [Colloq.]
Note: The word comitatus is often omitted, and posse alone
      used. ``A whole posse of enthusiasts.'' --Carlyle.
            As if the passion that rules were the sheriff of
            the place, and came off with all the posse.
                                               --Locke.