Definitions

1. noun

a long, thin beetle, particularly the Anobium punctatum, that infests wood and is often a sign of decay.

“The old mansion had been infested with deathwatches, a clear sign that it needed renovation.”

2. noun

a watch or vigil kept over someone who is dying, especially a night watch.

“The family kept a deathwatch beside their mother’s bed, praying for her recovery.”

3. verb

to keep a watch or vigil over someone who is dying.

“The family deathwatched their mother, waiting for the inevitable to happen.”