cateran

From Scottish Gaelic ceatharn (“troop”), ceathairne (“peasantry, yeomanry”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkatəɹən/

cateran (plural caterans)

1. (historical) A Highlander working as a professional fighter; a mercenary attached to a Scottish clan.
   • 1932, Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Sunset Song:

     And the great-grandson of Cospatric, he joined the English against the cateran Wallace […].

   • 2009, John Sadler, Glencoe, Amberley, published 2009, page 41:

     They found the hire of lawyers more cost-effective than the maintenance of caterans.

2. A freebooter, marauder.

• Cantera, cane rat, carnate