grognard
noun/ˈɡɹɔnjɑɹ/ · /ˈɡɹoʊn.jɑɹd/
Etymology Borrowed from French grognard (“grumbler”).
1
An old soldier.
2
Historical A soldier of the original imperial guard that was created by Napoleon I in 1804 and that made the final French charge at Waterloo.
3
Games Slang Someone who enjoys playing older war games or roleplaying games, or older versions of such games, when newer ones are available, and often complains frequently about newer games.
- James is such a grognard: he only plays the original edition of Dungeons & Dragons.
4
Government, Military, Politics, War A soldier or military enthusiast who pays meticulous attention to rules, details, and traditions, often respected for their expertise in areas that others might overlook.
- For quotations using this term, see Citations:grognard.