Zou·ave  (zo?o-äv?, zwäv)n.1. A member of a French infantry unit, originally composed of Algerian recruits, characterized by colorful uniforms and precision drilling.2. A member of a group patterned after the French Zouaves, especially a member of such a unit of the Union Army in the US Civil War.[French, from Berber Zw?wa, the Kabyle tribe from which the unit’s members were originally recruited.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.Zouave (zu????v; zw??v) n1. (Military) (formerly) a member of a body of French infantry composed of Algerian recruits noted for their dash, hardiness, and colourful uniforms2. (Military) a member of any body of soldiers wearing a similar uniform or otherwise modelled on the French Zouaves, esp a volunteer in such a unit of the Union Army in the American Civil War[C19: from French, from Zw?wa, tribal name in Algeria]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014Zou?ave (zu??v, zw?v) n. 1. a member of a former body of infantry in the French army, composed orig. of Algerians, distinguished for their showy drill and picturesque uniforms. 2. a member of any military body adopting a similar dress and drill, esp. a member of any of certain volunteer regiments in the American Civil War. [1820?30;