1. Soldiers armed with harquebuses (early firearms); cavalry or infantry troops equipped with this weapon, especially in 16th and 17th century European armies.
Usage: historical; plural form; singular is harquebusier; often used in military history contexts

Examples

• The Spanish harquebusiers played a crucial role in the conquest of the Americas.
• Harquebusiers gradually replaced traditional archers in European armies during the Renaissance.
• The regiment of harquebusiers advanced across the battlefield, their firearms giving them a significant advantage.
• By the 17th century, harquebusiers had become standard infantry in most European militaries.
• The harquebusiers' slow reload time made them vulnerable to cavalry charges if not properly supported.