ˈshüˌän, ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷, F shwäⁿ noun
( plural chouans -änz, -äⁿ)
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: after Jean Chouan (nickname of Jean Cottereau died 1794 French revolutionary, one of the leaders), from French dialect chouan owl, alteration of Middle French javan, from Late Latin cavannus, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh cwan owl, Breton kaouenn
: one of the royalist insurgents in western France during and after the French revolution