n.
Pronunciation: ' hüd-l ə m, ' hu ̇ d-
Function: noun
Etymology: perhaps from German dialect (Swabia) hudelum disorderly
Date: 1871
1 : THUG especially : one who commits acts of violence
2 : a young ruffian
– hood · lum · ish \ -l ə -mish \ adjective
– hood · lum · ism \ - ˌ mi-z ə m \ noun