[Fr. (1740 in Dict. Acad.), f. tirailler to shoot in independent firing, f. tirer to draw, shoot (TIRE v.2).] One of a body of skirmishers employed in the wars of the French Revolution (1792); a skirmisher, a sharp-shooter; a soldier (usually of infantry) trained for independent action. Also attrib.
1796. Campaigns 1793–4, I. I. vii. 65. The tiralleurs and riflemen could easily … discover and take aim at the Republicans.
1812. Examiner, 14 Sept., 582/1. Woods, filled with tirailleurs.
1847. De Quincey, Span. Nun, Wks. 1860, III. 44. Any Spanish tirailleur’s bullet.
1898. Daily News, 17 Oct., 3/1. A column consisting of tirailleurs and irregulars was dispatched to suppress a rising of the Boubourys.
