noun

1. in Spanish America,
   1. a person of the landless laboring class
   2. Historical a person forced to work off a debt or to perform penal servitude
2. ☆ Historical in the SW U.S., a person forced into servitude to work off a debt
3. in India,
   1. a foot soldier
   2. a native policeman
   3. an attendant or messenger
4. an unskilled or exploited laborer

Etymology: < Sp peón or (in peon sense ) Port peão, both < ML pedo, foot soldier: see pawn