Warbands

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Organized bands of armed fighters who roam together to raid, battle, or wage war on rivals
2. Companies of fighting men banded together under a leader, often operating outside any regular army
3. Troops of combatants gathered into roving groups for plunder, conflict, or armed campaigns

Etymology: "Warbands" is simply the plural of "warband," a compound formed from "war" and "band." Both parts are ancient English words: "war" comes from Old English "wyrre" and "band" from the Old Norse-influenced "band," a bond or strip that binds things together. Joined, they describe a group of fighters bound together for battle, and the plural form refers to several such groups at once.

Synonyms: war party, raiding party, troop