Raid (?), n. [Icel. rei&edh; a riding, raid; akin to E. road. See Road a way.]
1.
A hostile or predatory incursion; an inroad or incursion of mounted men; a sudden and rapid invasion by a cavalry force; a foray.
Marauding chief! his sole delight.
The moonlight raid, the morning fight.
Sir W. Scott.
There are permanent conquests, temporary occupation, and occasional raids.
H. Spenser.
⇒ A Scottish word which came into common use in the United States during the Civil War, and was soon extended in its application.
2.
An attack or invasion for the purpose of making arrests, seizing property, or plundering; as, a raid of the police upon a gambling house; a raid of contractors on the public treasury.
[Colloq. U. S.]
© Webster 1913.
Raid, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Raided; p. pr. & vb. n. Raiding.]
To make a raid upon or into; as, two regiments raided the border counties.
© Webster 1913.