Main Entry: thug

Pronunciation: \ˈthəg\

Function: noun

Etymology: Hindi & Urdu ṭhag, literally, thief

Date: 1810

: a brutal ruffian or assassin : gangster, tough

— thug·gery \ˈthə-g(ə-)rē\ noun

— thug·gish \ˈthə-gish\ adjective