Dragoon

[Fr. dragon; D. dragon der, from dragon.] ( Mil.) One of a cla of soldiers, who originally carried a carbine called a dragon; in the modern and specific sense, a horse-soldier belonging to a regiment of cavalry; termed heavy or light, according to their mode of equipment and nature of service; thus, lancers, hu ars, carabineers, ., are, properly speaking, light dragoons; cuira iers, ., heavy dragoons. -A variety of pigeon. v.a. [Fr. dragonner.] To persecute by abandoning a place to the rage of dragoons or soldiers. To enslave, or reduce into subjection by military force; as, to dra goon a people. - To hara ; to force; to compel to submit by violent measures; as, dragooned into submi ion. used to deaden the drift of a ship when making heavy weather.