hayward \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun Etymology: Middle English hayward, heyward, from haie, heie enclosure, hedge + ward — more at hay, ward 1. a.: an officer appointed to keep cattle from breaking through from a town common or roadway into enclosed fields and to impound strays b.: the keeper of a town's common herd of cattle 2.: field driver