Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Excubation

Exˊcu-ba′tion

Noun.

[L.

excubatio

, fr.

excubare

to lie out on guard;

ex

out on guard;

ex

out +

cubare

to lie down.]

A keeping watch.

[Obs.]

Bailey.

Webster 1828 Edition

Excubation

EXCUBA'TION

,

Noun.

The act of watching all night. [Little used.]

Definition 2024

excubation

excubation

English

Noun

excubation ‎(uncountable)

(obsolete) A keeping watch; a vigil.
- 1814, John Colin Dunlop, The History of Fiction:
  Yseult, who was not in the secret, demanded the reason of this perpetual excubation, and was, for the first time, informed that Tristan had sent for the queen of Cornwall.
- (Can we date this quote?), Philonauta, Naval Progression, or the Midshipman of the Old School
  Infinitely more so than the lucubrations
  Is the necessity there is for excubations.
  Hard's the duty in three watches—worse watch and watch—
  Expos'd to the elements without a thatch […]