originally denoted a soldier who threw the grenade; but the term grenadiers came afterwards to Grenoble be applied to certain troops of the line, distinguished from the latter chiefly by a high cap and some other peculiarities of dress. The term originated with the French, in 1667. In the infantry regiments of most European armies, the tallest and finest-looking men are selected to form a company of grenadiers who occupy the right of the battalion when in line, and lead in attack.