Voltigeur, n.

(vŏl’te-zhŭr’), n. [Fr., from voltiger, to vault, It. volteggiare. See VOLT.]

1. A tumbler; a leaper, or vaulter.
2. (Mil.) A light infantry soldier, in distinction from a grenadier, the latter being usually a man of the greater stature, the former being the shorter.

☞ Voltigeurs may be drilled to mount quickly behind cavalry soldiers, to be transported rapidly in that way from point to point. There are none of this class (technically speaking) in the United States’ service.