paesano
/pʌɪˈzɑːnəʊ/(also paisano) Chiefly US
noun
In early use: a person of Italian descent or birth; especially a rustic person, a villager. In later use (US ): an Italian-American man; specifically a mafioso.
- Used chiefly in Italian-speaking communities..
Origin
1920s; earliest use found in D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930), writer. From Italian paesano (fellow) countryman from paese country + Italian -ano.