flanker

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: flank=er

CIDE DICTIONARY

flanker, n. 

 One who, or that which, flanks, as a skirmisher or a body of troops sent out upon the flanks of an army toguard a line of march, or a fort projecting so as to command the side of an assailing body.  [1913 Webster]
"They threw out flankers, and endeavored to dislodge their assailants."  [1913 Webster]

flanker, v. t. [See Flank, v. t.].

•  To defend by lateral fortifications.  Sir T. Herbert.  [1913 Webster]
•  To attack sideways.  Evelyn.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

flanker, n.
1 Mil. a fortification guarding or menacing the flank.
2 anything that flanks another thing.
3 (in Rugby and American Football) a flank forward.
4 sl. a trick; a swindle (pulled a flanker).