I. drəˈgün, draˈ-, draiˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French dragon dragon, military standard, dragoon, from Middle French — more at dragon
1.
a. : a mounted infantryman of the 17th and 18th centuries ; especially : one armed with a carbine
b. : cavalryman
2. obsolete : an ancient carbine : dragon
3. : a variety of medium-sized blocky wattled domestic pigeons
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to reduce to subjection by dragoons : persecute by the harsh use of troops
2. : to compel or attempt to compel into submission by violent measures : harass , persecute
they dragooned him into working