Troop /(?)/

Troop

n.
  1. A collection of people; a company; a number; a multitude.
    That which should accompany old age -- As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends -- I must not look to have.
  2. Soldiers, collectively; an army; -- now generally used in the plural.
    Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars.
    His troops moved to victory with the precision of machines.
  3. Specifically, a small body of cavalry, light horse, or dragoons, consisting usually of about sixty men, commanded by a captain; the unit of formation of cavalry, corresponding to the company in infantry. Formerly, also, a company of horse artillery; a battery. (Mil.)
  4. A company of stageplayers; a troupe.
  5. A particular roll of the drum; a quick march. (Mil.)
  6. See Boy scout, above.

Troop

v. i.

imp. & p. p. Trooped; p. pr. & vb. n. Trooping

  1. To move in numbers; to come or gather in crowds or troops.
  2. To march on; to go forward in haste.
    Nor do I, as an enemy to peace, Troop in the throngs of military men.

Troop

v. t.

Phrases & Compounds
To troop the colors
in the British army, to perform a ceremony consisting essentially in carrying the colors, accompanied by the band and escort, slowly before the troops drawn up in single file and usually in a hollow square, as in London on the sovereign's birthday.