noun
also bush·wack·er -kə(r) ; also bush·whack -k
( -s )
Etymology: bushwhacker from bush (I) + whacker; bushwacker & bushwack, alteration of bushwhacker
: one that bushwhacks: as
a. : a person who clears away the bush (as in preparing land for grazing) ; also : an implement for this
b. : one that lives in or frequents the woods : woodsman
c. : a Confederate soldier who engaged in guerrilla warfare in the Civil War
d. : one that fires from ambush : sniper
e. : a deserter or draft dodger who became an outlaw especially during and after the Civil War
f. : bushfighter , raider , guerrilla
g. : outlaw , bandit