Dra*goon" (?), n. [F. dragon dragon, dragoon, fr. L. draco dragon, also, a cohort's standard (with a dragon on it). The name was given from the sense standard. See Dragon.]
1. (Mil.
Formerly, a soldier who was taught and armed to serve either on horseback or on foot; now, a mounted soldier; a cavalry man.
2.
A variety of pigeon.
Clarke.
Dragoon bird Zool., the umbrella bird.
© Webster 1913.
Dra*goon", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dragooned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dragooning.]
1.
To harass or reduce to subjection by dragoons; to persecute by abandoning a place to the rage of soldiers.
2.
To compel submission by violent measures; to harass; to persecute.
The colonies may be influenced to anything, but they can be dragooned to nothing.
Price.
Lewis the Fourteenth is justly censured for trying to dragoon his subjects to heaven.
Macaulay.
© Webster 1913.