in military affairs, a mulqueeter 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-maiter, two serjeants, three corporals, and two drums. Some regiments have hautboys. They are very useful on any expedition that requires despatch; 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.

The first regiment of dragoons raised in England was in 1681, and called the regiment of dragoons of North Britain. In battle or attacks they generally fight sword in hand after the first fire. Their arms are, a sword, firelock, and bayonet. In the French service, when the dragoons march on foot, their officers bear the pike and the serjeants the halbert, neither of which are used in the English service.