brigand Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band
    bandit.

WordNet

Brig"and noun
Etymology
F. brigand, OF. brigant light-armed soldier, fr. LL. brigans light-armed soldier (cf. It. brigante.) fr. brigare to strive, contend, fr. briga quarrel; prob. of German origin, and akin to E. break; cf. Goth. brikan to break, brakja strife. Cf. Brigue.
Definitions
  1. A light-armed, irregular foot soldier. Obs.
  2. A lawless fellow who lives by plunder; one of a band of robbers; especially, one of a gang living in mountain retreats; a highwayman; a freebooter.
    Giving them not a little the air of brigands or banditti. Jeffery.

Webster 1913