Anglo-Ind. Also 8 louchee, 9 lutee. [Hindī lūṭī, f. lūṭ LOOT sb.2] In pl. A term applied, in India, to a body of native irregulars whose chief object in warfare was plunder. In wider sense, a band of marauders or robbers. Also rarely in sing., one of such a band or gang. Hence Lootie-wallah [Hindī lūṭīwālā: see WALLAH], a member of a gang of looties.
1757. Orme, Hist. Milit. Trans. (1778), II. VII. 129. A body of their Louchees, or plunderers, who are armed with clubs … attacked the houses of the natives.
1782. I. Munro, Narr. Mil. Operat. Coromandel Coast (1789), 295. Even the rascally Lootywallahs, or Misorian hussars … now pressed upon our flanks and rear.
1791. Gentl. Mag., LXI. 77/1. These irregulars of the enemy [in the East Indies], distinguished by the name of Looties, continued their depredations.
1800. T. T. Robarts, Indian Gloss., Lootywalla, see Looties.
1802. C. James, Milit. Dict., Lootywallow, Ind., a term of the same import as Looties.
1827. Scott, Surg. Dau., xii. I will find the dagger of a Lootie which shall reach thee, wert thou sheltered under the folds of the Nawaub’s garment.
1876. Grant, Hist. India, I. lv. 279/1.
1884. W. L. Whipple, in Bib. Soc. Rec., Sept., 131 (Stanf.). A noted lutee, or rogue.
