ETYM French brigand, Old Fren. brigant light-armed soldier, from Late Lat. brigans light-armed soldier (cf. Italian brigante.) from brigare to strive, contend, from briga quarrel; prob. of German origin, and akin to Eng. break; cf. Goth. brikan to break, brakja strife. Related to Brigue.
A bandit who lives by plunder; one of a band of robbers; especially, one of a gang living in mountain retreats; a highwayman; a freebooter.