in military affairs, a musketeer, mounted on horseback, who sometimes fights or marches on foot, as occasion requires.

Menage derives the word dragoon from the Latin draconarius, which in Vegetius is used to signify soldier. But it is more probably derived from the German tragen, or dragen, which signifies to carry; as being infantry carried on horseback.

Dragoons are divided into brigades, as the cavalry, and each regiment into troops; each troop having a captain, lieutenant, cornet, quarter-master, two sergeants, three corporals, and two drums. Some regiments have hauhtboys. They are very useful on any expedition that requires dispatch; for they can keep pace with the cavalry, and do the duty of infantry: they encamp generally on the wings of the army, or at the passes leading to the camp; and sometimes they are brought to cover the general's quarters: they march in the front and rear of the army.