Main Entry:

gen·darme

Pronunciation:

\ˈzhän-ˌdärm also ˈjän-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French, from Middle French, back-formation from gensdarmes, plural of gent d'armes, literally, armed people

Date:

1793

1 : a member of a body of soldiers especially in France serving as an armed police force for the maintenance of public order 2 : police officer