Editing Dragoon (section)

== Origins and name ==
[[File:Le Dragon missionnaire.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|Cartoon of a French dragoon intimidating a [[Huguenot]] in the ''[[Dragonnades]]'']]

The establishment of dragoons evolved from the practice of sometimes transporting [[infantry]] by horse when speed of movement was needed. During the [[Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire]] in the 16th century, Spanish [[conquistador]]s fought on horse with [[arquebus]]es, prefiguring the origin of European dragoons.{{Sfn|Espino López|2012|pp=7–48}} In the Spanish army, dragoons were initially mounted infantry, trained to fight both on horseback and dismounted. They were a type of cavalry that could perform a variety of roles, including scouting, raiding, and direct combat. Dragoons played a significant role in the Spanish army where they were known for their versatile combat capabilities and distinctive yellow uniforms. 

In 1552, [[Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma]], mounted several companies of infantry on [[pack horse]]s to achieve surprise, another example being that used by [[Louis of Nassau]] in 1572 during operations near [[Mons, Belgium|Mons]] in [[County of Hainaut|Hainaut]], when 500 infantry were transported this way.{{Sfn|Bismark|1855|p=330}} It is also suggested the first dragoons were raised by the Marshal [[Duke of Brissac|de Brissac]] in 1600.{{Sfn|Bismark|1855|p=331}} According to old German literature, dragoons were invented by Count [[Ernst von Mansfeld]], one of the greatest German military commanders, in the early 1620s. There are other instances of mounted infantry predating this. However Mansfeld, who had learned his profession in Hungary and the Netherlands, often used horses to make his foot troops more mobile, creating what was called an ''armée volante'' (French for 'flying army').

The origin of the name remains disputed and obscure. It possibly derives from an early weapon, a short [[wheellock]], called a ''dragon'' because its muzzle was decorated with a dragon's head. The practice comes from a time when all gunpowder weapons had distinctive names, including the [[culverin]], serpentine, falcon, [[falconet (cannon)|falconet]], etc.{{Sfn|Bismark|1855|p=333}} It is also sometimes claimed a galloping infantryman with his loose coat and the burning match resembled a [[dragon]].{{Sfn|Carman|1977|p=48}} It has also been asserted that the name was coined by Mansfeld as a comparison to dragons represented as "spitting fire and being swift on the wing".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nolan |first1=Cpt. L. E. |title=Cavalry; Its History and Tactics |date=1860 |publisher=Bosworth & Harrison |location=London |page=65}}</ref> Finally, it has been suggested that the name derives from the German ''tragen'' or the Dutch ''dragen'', both being the verb ''to carry'' in their respective languages. [[Howard Reid (filmmaker)|Howard Reid]] claims the name and role descend from the Latin ''[[Draconarius]]''.{{Sfn|Reid|2001|p=96}}

=== Use as a verb ===
Dragoon is occasionally used as a verb meaning to subjugate or persecute by the imposition of troops; and by extension to compel by any violent measures or threats. The term dates from 1689, when dragoons were being used by [[Louis XIV|the French monarchy]] to [[Edict of Fontainebleau|persecute Protestants]], particularly by forcing [[Protestants]] to lodge a dragoon (''[[dragonnades]]'') in their house to watch over them at the householder's expense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/etymology/dragoon|title=the definition of dragoon|website=Dictionary.com}}</ref>