Shotgunner

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person designated to operate a shotgun, typically in a military or sport shooting context
2. someone who performs the role of providing cover fire with a shotgun in various tactical scenarios
3. an individual specializing in the use of shotguns for hunting, shooting sports, or law enforcement activities

Etymology: "Shotgunner" is a plain formation: the noun "shotgun" with the agent suffix "-er," meaning one who does the thing or holds the role. The base word "shotgun" itself is a compound of "shot" (the pellets fired from the gun) and "gun," and it had been in use for a long time before the agent noun appeared. The suffix does the work here. Adding "-er" to a noun that names a weapon turns it into a person who handles that weapon, as with "rifleman" or "gunner" itself. In this case, the role is specific: a soldier or operative assigned to lay down suppressive fire with a shotgun to cover teammates as they move or reposition.

Synonyms: marksman, shooter, gunner, sniper, ranger