thug

A cutthroat or ruffian; a hoodlum.

One of a group of professional criminals, devotees of Kali, who robbed and murdered travelers in northern India until the mid-1800s.

A member of a confraternity of professional assassins and robbers formerly infesting India, chiefly in the central and northern provinces.

Hence A cutthroat; a ruffian; a rough.

One of an association of robbers and murderers in India who practiced murder by stealthy approaches, and from religious motives. They have been nearly exterminated by the British government.