gazoon

English

Etymology

From Irish garsún, from Old French garçun. Doublet of garçon.

Noun

gazoon (plural gazoons)

1. (Northern Ireland) A young farm boy.
   • 1938 (reprinted 1970), John Ellberg, Tales of a Rambler, page 217:

     "[...] devil don't it subtract a bit before the thing goes skylarkin' as it will before—500–550—say this is no place for a gazoon that wants to see Father O'Houlihan before he kicks the bucket," and Pat strode off with the subtleness that bespoke youth and fine trim.

2. (nonce word) A close body of men.
   • 1819, “The Queen's Wake”, in Dumlanrig, the Sixteenth Bard's Song, 6th edition, James Hogg, page 277:

     A close gazoon the horsemen made,
     Douglas and Morison the head,
     And through the ranks impetuous bore,
     By dint of lance and broad claymore, […]

References

• O.E.D. unabridged volume 4