bushwhacker

== English == === Alternative forms === bushwacker === Etymology === From bush +‎ whacker. === Pronunciation === === Noun === bushwhacker (plural bushwhackers) (US) One who travels through the woods, off the designated path. (Australia) A person who lives in the bush, especially as a fugitive; a person who clears woods and bush country. (US, historical) A guerrilla (of either side) during the American Civil War. 1967 April, Donald Keith, The Time Machine Hunts a Treasure, Boys' Life, page 51, She stared at us. “Hardly. You must be from far off, not to know about Quantrill′s raids. Last March the bushwhackers rode into Aubrey, shot every man in town, stole everything, burned down houses. […] ” (dated) Someone who attacks without warning. A small, soft-floored inflatable boat (designed for use by one or two people). 1977 September, Dave Hurteau, Air and Water, Field & Stream, page 90, We spent the rest of the day hopping from pond to pond with the bushwhackers, and we found them very suited for it. === See also === bushbash (verb)