It’s French for police. Originally coined homme d’armes or “man-at-arms,” the plural of which is gens d’armes evolved into Gendarmes and given the singular of Gendarme. The Gendarmes primarily served France from the late fifteenth century as heavy cavalrymen of noble birth to early modern European history as light cavalrymen that provided regular force to the Kings of France. Gendarmes of the day were powerful yet gentle figures who were respected and honorable; just like those who wear the cologne today are.
