Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
RAMROD
I. noun
Date: 1757
a rod for ramming home the charge in a muzzle-loading firearm, a cleaning rod for small arms, boss , overseer ,
II. adjective
Date: 1850
marked by rigidity, severity, or stiffness,
III. transitive verb
Date: circa 1940
to direct, supervise, and control,
IV. adverb
Date: 1954
in a fully upright position ; rigidly