'nightstick' originates from the combination of 'night' and 'stick', where 'night' refers to the time of day and 'stick' refers to a long, thin piece of wood or material.

'nightstick' has remained relatively unchanged in its form and meaning since its inception in the early 20th century.

Initially, it meant 'a stick used by night watchmen,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.