Truncheon (noun)

1. A short thick stick or club used as a weapon, especially by police.
2. A ceremonial staff or wand carried as a symbol of office or authority.

Origin:

From middle english tronchoun, from old french tronchon, from tronchier ("to chop"), from tronc ("trunk"), from latin truncus ("a cutting, trunk"), from truncare ("to cut off").

Examples:

1. The police officer drew his truncheon and advanced on the rioter.
2. The guards carried truncheons to keep order at the palace gates.
3. He was beaten with a truncheon during the protest.
4. The mayor carried a golden truncheon as a symbol of his office.
5. The truncheon was a popular weapon among medieval soldiers.