Mid 18th century; earliest use found in The Gentleman's Magazine. Partly from French pandour member of an irregular militia in Hungary, and partly from German Pandur, both from Hungarian pandúr infantryman, gangster, local policeman, further etymology uncertain; probably from a Slavonic base meaning ‘one who drives away’ seen also in Croatian pudar guard, especially of vineyards). Use in German and English was reinforced by Serbian and Croatian pandur (in historical usage) bailiff, beadle, summoner, mounted policeman or guardian of the public peace, having also in earlier times the duty of guarding the frontier districts from the inroads of the Turks, (now) village watchman or constable, (colloquial and slang) officious person, policeman (itself reborrowed from Hungarian).