henchman Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun someone who assists in a plot
    collaborator; partner in crime; confederate.

WordNet

Hench"man noun
Etymology
OE. hencheman, henxman; prob. fr. OE. & AS. hengest horse + E. man, and meaning, a groom. AS. hengest is akin to D. & G. hengst stallion, OHG. hengist horse, gelding.
Wordforms
plural -men
Definitions
  1. An attendant; a servant; a follower. Now chiefly used as a political cant term.

Webster 1913