henchman
noun
[ ˈhɛn(t)ʃmən ]
• a faithful follower or political supporter, especially one prepared to engage in crime or violence by way of service.
• "the dictator's henchman"
Similar:
follower,
supporter,
assistant,
aide,
helper,
adjutant,
right-hand man,
subordinate,
underling,
minion,
lackey,
flunkey,
toady,
stooge,
acolyte,
satellite,
shadow,
bodyguard,
protector,
minder,
sidekick,
crony,
heavy,
man/girl Friday,
body man,
Origin:
Middle English, from Old English hengest ‘male horse’ + man, the original sense being probably ‘groom’. In the mid 19th century the sense ‘principal attendant of a Highland chief’ was popularized by Sir Walter Scott, whence the current (originally US) usage.
