Pla-tōōn', n.

n. [Fr. peloton, a ball of thread, a knot or group of men, a platoon, from pelote, a ball formed of things wound round; Pr., Sp., & Pg. pelota, It. pillotta, L. Lat. pelota, pilota, from Lat. pila, a ball; Sp. peloton.] (Mil.) (a.) A small body of soldiers or musketeers, drawn out of a battalion of foot, when they form a hollow square, to strengthen the angles. [Obs.] (b.) In present usage, half of a company.