in a general sense, denotes one who hazards something.

ADVENTURERS is particularly used for an ancient company of merchants and traders, erected for the discovery of lands, territories, trades, &c. unknown. The society of adventurers had its rise in Burgundy, its first establishment from John duke of Brabant, in 1248, being known by the name of the Brotherhood of St Thomas a Becket. It was afterwards translated into England, and successively confirmed by Edwards III. and IV. Richard III. Henries IV. V. VI. and VII. who gave it the appellation of Merchant Adventurers.