a leader of a troop of mercenaries, in Italy or elsewhere in Europe, between the 14th and 16th cents
a member of a condottiere's troop
And now it shall be seen whether Spanish and Italian condottieri can hold their own on British ground against the men of Devon — Charles Kingsley
[Italian condottiere, from condotta act of hiring, troop of mercenaries, from Latin conducti hired mercenaries, from conducere: see conduce]