French term, sometimes used in English authors, to denote a convoy or company of armed men, attending some person or thing, in a journey or voyage, to defend or secure it from insults. Some derive the word from the Latin cohors.

Escoade, or Squad, is usually the third or fourth part of a company of foot; so divided for mounting guards, and for the more convenient relieving of one another. It is equivalent to a brigade of a troop of horse. See Brigade.

Escaugae, in our old customs, a kind of knighthood, called service of the shield, by which the tenant was bound to follow his lord to the wars at his own charge. See the articles Chivalry, Feodal System, and Knight-Service.

Esculapius. See Esculapius.