nounWord forms: plural-ros(formerly, in Spain or Spanish American regions)
1.
a member of a gang of armed bandits
2.
a gunman, esp one hired to shoot people
pistolero in American English
(ˌpɪstlˈɛərou, Spanish ˌpistɔˈleʀɔ)
nounWord forms: plural-toleros (-tlˈɛərouz, Spanish -tɔˈleʀɔs)(esp in Mexico and Central America)
1.
a member of an armed band of roving mounted bandits
2.
a gunman or hired killer
Word origin
[1935–40; ‹ Sp, equiv. to pistol(a) pistol + -ero ‹ L -ārius-ary]This word is first recorded in the period 1935–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Rhodesian ridgeback, fluorocarbon, prime mover, roadblock, roomette