askari

[ as-kuh-ree ]

/ ˈæs kə ri /

a native African police officer or soldier, especially one serving a colonial administration.

Origin of askari

1885–90; < Swahili < Arabic ʿaskarī soldier, equivalent to ʿaskar army (< Persian lashkar; cf. lascar) + -ī suffix of appurtenance

His load was missing: evidently one of the askaris had taken it up.

The Leopard Woman |Stewart Edward White
Some have told me that you are not askaris, that you are common porters--and not good ones--who carry guns.

The Leopard Woman |Stewart Edward White
Probably p. 221he had been hit by one of the great soft-nosed slugs with which the swine armed their askaris.

Cupid in Africa |P. C. Wren
Not joining this first flight remained only the askaris, the eight men bearing the hammock, and the tall Nubian.

The Leopard Woman |Stewart Edward White

There is now no need for headmen and askaris to handle this little lot.

The Land of Footprints |Stewart Edward White

askari

/ (asˈkaːri) /

(in East Africa) a soldier or policeman

C19: from Arabic: soldier