spahi

Meaning

Noun

• An Ottoman (Turkish empire) cavalryman, especially as recruited under a land-based system.
• A soldier in a mainly Arab-recruited cavalry (originally horse, later light armored) regiment in French colonial service in (former/ in name still) Ottoman North African provinces

Origin

• From French spahi, from Ottoman Turkish سپاهی, from Persian سپاهی ("horseman, soldier") (> sepoy), from سپاه. sepoy.