commandos

noun pl. commandos or commandoes

1. Historical
   1. in South Africa, a force of Boer troops
   2. a raid or expedition made by such troops
2. 1. a small raiding force trained to operate inside territory held by the enemy
   2. a member of such a group

Origin: Afrik < Port, lit., party commanded < commandar, to govern, command < VL *commandare, command