Brigand

[Fr.; W. brigant, from brig, top, summit.] Literally, a mountaineer; specifically, a robber; a freebooter; a bandit; as, a brigand of the Abruzzi. Brigandage, ( brig'and - āj ,) n. [Fr.] The avocation of a brigand; freebooting; robbery; plunder; as, the Italian government is endeavoring to suppre brigandage. Brigandine, BRIGANTINE, n. [O. Fr. brigant ; from L. Lat. brigans , a light-armed soldier.] ( Mil . ) A kind of scale armor, worn during the Middle Ages by a description of light troops called Brigands , who were employed as skirmishers. "Then put on thy helmet, And brigandine of of bra ." -Milton. Brigantine, ( brig'an - tên ,) n. [Fr. brigantin, from brigand ; Sp. bergantin.] The name sometimes applied to a brig . The latter term, as an abridgment of B. , is now commonly used. See BRIG. Briggs, in Minnesota, a township of Sherburne co.; now called CLINTON LAKE.