triggerman

[trig-er-muhn, -man]

noun

Informal.

plural

triggermen 

1. a gangster who specializes in gunning people down.

2. a bodyguard, especially of a gangster.

triggerman

/ ˈtrɪɡəˌmæn /

noun

1. a person, esp a criminal, who shoots another person

Word History and Origins

Origin of triggerman¹

First recorded in 1920–25; trigger + man

Example Sentences

So, instead of retiring her asset with a long-range sniper, Reed arranges for Helen’s old pal Sam, once their industry’s top “triggerman,” to return to London to assist her.

From Salon

Jones disputed that he was the triggerman that night, and he denied that he intended throughout the abduction to kill Haro.

From Los Angeles Times

In both cases, the admitted triggerman was a barely literate welder Leasure had met at a gun show.

From Los Angeles Times

Alvarenga Cortez was alleged to be the triggerman in the killing, with prosecutors saying he used a handgun.

From Los Angeles Times

He was arrested after triggerman Henry Arthur Tenon, 62, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, court records show.

From Seattle Times