Fenian † [alteration of Irish Gaelic. feinne, pl. of fiann band of Fenians; cp. Feni ancient people of Ireland] Hist. DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
n.
a member of a militant secret brotherhood of Irish-Americans and their sympathizers in Canada, advocates of Irish independence, who sought to advance their cause by attacking Canada, carrying out abortive raids in 1866, 1870, and 1871.
See also: Hunters' Lodge