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wraith

1. An apparition of a person in his exact likeness, seen before death, or a little after; hence, an apparition; a specter; a vision; an unreal image. She was uncertain if it were the gypsy or her wraith. (Sir W. Scott) O, hollow wraith of dying fame. (Tennyson)

2. Sometimes, improperly, a spirit thought to preside over the waters; called also water wraith.

Origin: Scot. Wraith, warth; probably originally, a guardian angel, from Icel. Voror a warden, guardian, akin to E. Ward. See Ward a guard.