zouave

(noun)

noun

1. (military) One of an active and hardy body of soldiers in the French service, originally Kabyle, but now composed of Frenchmen who wear the Kabyle dress.

2. (military) Hence, one of a body of soldiers who adopt the dress and drill of the zouaves in French service, as was done by a number of volunteer regiments in the army of the United States in the Civil War, 1861-65.