\Prov"ost\, n. [OF. provost (L. prae and pro being
confused), F. prev[^o]t, fr. L. praepositus placed before, a
chief, fr. praeponere to place before: cf. AS. pr[=a]fost,
pr[=o]fast. See {Preposition}, and cf. {Propound}.]
1. A person who is appointed to superintend, or preside over,
   something; the chief magistrate in some cities and towns;
   as, the provost of Edinburgh or of Glasgow, answering to
   the mayor of other cities; the provost of a college,
   answering to president; the provost or head of certain
   collegiate churches.
2. The keeper of a prison. [Obs.] --Shak.
Note: In France, formerly, a provost was an inferior judge
      who had cognizance of civil causes. The grand provost
      of France, or of the household, had jurisdiction in the
      king's house, and over its officers.
{Provost marshal} (often pronounced ?).
   (a) (Mil.) An officer appointed in every army, in the
       field, to secure the prisoners confined on charges of
       a general nature. He also performs such other duties
       pertaining to police and discipline as the regulations
       of the service or the commander's orders impose upon
       him.
   (b) (Nav.) An officer who has charge of prisoners on trial
       by court-martial, serves notices to witnesses, etc.