swashbuckler

swash +‎ buckler

• Audio (US)

  (file)

swashbuckler (plural swashbucklers)

1. A swordsman or fencer who engages in showy or extravagant sword play.
   • 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 80

     Phillips, in his New World of Words defines, to swash, to make fly about; to clash, or make a noise with swords; and a swash-buckler, a vain glorious sword player or fencer, a meer braggadochoe, a vapouring fellow.

2. A daring adventurer.
3. A kind of period adventure story with flashy action and lighthearted tone.