I. plə-ˈtün, pla- noun
Etymology: French peloton small detachment, literally, ball, from Middle French pelote little ball — more at pellet
Date: 1637
1. : a subdivision of a company-sized military unit normally consisting of two or more squads or sections
2. : a group of persons sharing a common characteristic or activity
a platoon of waiters
especially : a group of football players who are trained for either offense or defense and are sent into or withdrawn from the game as a body
II. verb
Date: 1963
transitive verb
: to play (one player) alternately with another player in the same position (as on a baseball team)
intransitive verb
1. : to alternate with another player at the same position
2. : to use alternate players at the same position