E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Brigand
properly means a seditious fellow. The Brigands were light-armed, irregular troops, like the Bashi-Bazouks, and like them were addicted to marauding. The Free Companies of France were Brigands. (Italian, brigante, seditious; briga, variance.)
