ˈhenchmən noun
( plural henchmen )
Etymology: Middle English hengestman, henxtman, henxman groom, squire, from hengest stallion, gelding (from Old English) + man; akin to Old Frisian hanxt, hengst horse, Old High German hengist gelding, Old Norse hestr stallion, horse, and perhaps to Welsh caseg mare, Greek kēkiein to gush forth, Lithuanian šokti to jump, dance; basic meaning: jumping, bubbling
1.
a. obsolete : a squire or page to a person of high rank
a little changeling boy to be my henchman — Shakespeare
b. : a household servant : retainer
hear my henchman … about to ring the bell for luncheon — William Black
2.
a. : the head gillie of a Scottish chief
b. : a subordinate who is heavily relied upon : right-hand man
the significant look that passes between the suave mastermind and his black-browed henchman — Richard Mallett
3.
a. : a loyal supporter : adherent
the henchmen of German political and economic reaction — Hillel Silver
b. : a political follower giving active support ; especially : one whose support is chiefly a matter of personal advantage
a fat, easygoing minor henchman who held a judgeship — Hodding Carter
c. : an unscrupulous often violent member of a gang : hatchet man
a third car full of his armed henchmen following behind — F.L.Allen