Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- an armed Irish freebooter or plunderer, especially of the 17th century.
- any freebooter or robber.
noun
- an Irish irregular soldier of the late 17th century
- obsolete any plunderer or robber
“Irish freebooter,” 1680s, originally “pikeman,” from Irish rapairidhe, plural of rapaire “half-pike.” Kind of soldier prominent in the war of 1688-92.