Ward″en (?), n. [OE. wardein, OF. wardein, gardein, gardain, F. gardien. See Guardian, and Ward guard.]
1. A keeper; a guardian; a watchman.
He called to the warden on the... battlements. Sir. W. Scott.
2. An officer who keeps or guards; a keeper; as, the warden of a prison.
3. A head official; as, the warden of a college; specifically (Eccl.), a churchwarden.
4. A large, hard pear, chiefly used for baking and roasting.
I would have had him roasted like a warden. Beau. & Fl.
Warden pie, a pie made of warden pears. Shak.