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