This is the 1035th most frequent Dutch word.
wout
"Wout" is Dutch slang for "police officer."
Here, 'wout' is used colloquially as a Dutch word for policeman or cop.
De wout hield de verkeerssituatie nauwlettend in de gaten.
The cop closely monitored the traffic situation.
In this sentence, 'wouten' is the plural form of 'wout,' referring to multiple police officers.
Wees voorzichtig, de wouten zijn hier streng met regels.
Be careful, the cops here are strict with rules.
The word 'wout' is employed to describe a single law enforcement officer in a casual context.