1590s, from Russian kozak, from Turkish kazak "adventurer, guerilla, nomad," from qaz "to wander." The same Turkic root is the source of the people-name Kazakh and the nation of Ka [..]

people and culture native to western Russia, Georgia, and Ukraine.

Lightly armored troops mounted on horses used primarily for reconnaissance, skirmishing, raiding, and, most importantly, communications. Usually armed with pistols and swords. The Old East Slavic origin of the word meant “itinerant laborer, vagabond, adventurer.”

kozak

To dream of a Cossack, denotes humiliation of a personal character, brought about by dissipation and wanton extravagance.   

(n) a member of a Slavic people living in southern European Russia and Ukraine and adjacent parts of Asia and noted for their horsemanship and military skill; they formed an elite cavalry corps in cza [..]