[re.cruit] vt (1643) 1 a (1): to fill up the number of (as an army) with new members: reinforce (2): to enlist as a member of an armed service b: to increase or maintain the number of "America ~ed her population from Europe" c: to secure the services of: engage, hire d: to seek to enroll "~ students"
2: replenish
3: to restore or increase the health, vigor, or intensity of ~ vi: to enlist new members -- re.cruit.er n
[2]recruit n [F recrute, recrue fresh growth, new levy of soldiers, fr. MF, fr. recroistre to grow up again, fr. L recrescere, fr. re- + crescere to grow--more at crescent] (ca. 1645) 1: a fresh or additional supply
2: a newcomer to a field or activity; specif: a newly enlisted or drafted member of the armed forces
3: a former enlisted man of the lowest rank in the army