When you hear 'vigilante' are you hearing English or Spanish (USA)?

'Vigilante' is a word borrowed from Spanish (USA) 'vigilante'. The word entered the English language some time around 1856.

vigilante [noun] [1856]

• a member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily (as when the processes of law are vi...
• a self-appointed doer of justice

See 'vigilante' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Spanish (USA).

Etymology: Spanish, watchman, guard, from 'vigilante' vigilant, from Latin 'vigilant-, vigilans'

See more loan words from 1800s.