/pan"door/ , n.
1. Hist. a member of a local militia in Croatia, formed as a regiment in the Austrian army in the 18th century and noted for its ruthlessness and cruelty.
2. a brutal, marauding soldier.
[ 1740-50; pandour ( e ) pàndur community or city policeman, pandour, prob. pandúr podari ( > Serbo-Croatian pùdar one who guards a vineyard), deriv. of * poditi to drive off, frighten; the Serbo-Croatian var. bàndur (17th century) may result from crossing with ML banderia or It bandiera troop, lit., BANNER ]