I. krü-ˈsād noun
Etymology: blend of Middle French croisade & Spanish cruzada; both ultimately from Latin cruc-, crux cross
Date: circa 1708
1. capitalized : any of the military expeditions undertaken by Christian powers in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries to win the Holy Land from the Muslims
2. : a remedial enterprise undertaken with zeal and enthusiasm
II. intransitive verb
( cru·sad·ed ; cru·sad·ing )
Date: 1732
: to engage in a crusade
• cru·sad·er noun