Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a watchman.

1821		W.T. Moncrieff Tom and Jerry II ii: Past two did you say, Watchey?
1822		‘The Sprees of Tom, Jerry and Logick’ in C. Hindley James Catnach (1878) 124: Then in the twinkling of an eye a watch-box was upset, / The Watchy roar’d till all was blue, but nut he could not get.
1838		J.C. Neal Charcoal Sketches (1865) 37: A watchman finally summoned up resolution enough to come near, and to take Dabby by the arm. ‘Let go, watchy!’.
1845		J. Lindridge Sixteen-String Jack 210: The unfortunate watchy was pitched backwards on his cocoa nut.
1846		D. Corcoran Picking from N.O. Picayune 75: Ah, watchey [...] coffee is werry good.
1848		‘Ned Buntline’ Mysteries and Miseries of N.Y. III 113: ‘So they are! and she looks big enough to ate ’em up!’ replied watchee No.2.
1850		J.C. Neal Pic-nic Sketches 23: Watchy, though you are a watchy, you’ve got a heart with the sensibilities in it.
2001		I. Welsh Glue 56: The other watchies oan the estate might see a van leavin, but that could jist be another watchman finishin.