pickeer

verb

pick·​eer pi-ˈkir How to pronounce pickeer (audio)
pickeered; pickeering; pickeers

intransitive verb

archaic
: to skirmish in advance of an army
also : scout, reconnoiter

Word History

Etymology

probably modification of French picorer to maraud, perhaps from Middle French pecore sheep, from Old Italian pecora — more at pecorino

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pickeer was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near pickeer

Cite this Entry

“Pickeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pickeer. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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