Recruit \Re*cruit"\, n.

1. A supply of anything wasted or exhausted; a re["e]nforcement.

The state is to have recruits to its strength, and remedies to its distempers. --Burke.

2. Specifically, a man enlisted for service in the army; a newly enlisted soldier.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Recruit \Re*cruit"\ (r?*kr?t"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recruited; p. pr. & vb. n. Recruiting.]

[F. recruter, corrupted (under influence of recrue recruiting, recruit, from recro[^i]/tre, p. p. recr[^u], to grow again) from an older recluter, properly, to patch, to mend (a garment); pref. re- + OF. clut piece, piece of cloth; cf. Icel. kl[=u]tr kerchief, E. clout.]

1. To repair by fresh supplies, as anything wasted; to remedy lack or deficiency in; as, food recruits the flesh; fresh air and exercise recruit the spirits.

Her cheeks glow the brighter, recruiting their color. --Glanvill.

2. Hence, to restore the wasted vigor of; to renew in strength or health; to reinvigorate.

3. To supply with new men, as an army; to fill up or make up by enlistment; as, he recruited two regiments; the army was recruited for a campaign; also, to muster; to enlist; as, he recruited fifty men. --M. Arnold.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Recruit \Re*cruit"\, v. i.

1. To gain new supplies of anything wasted; to gain health, flesh, spirits, or the like; to recuperate; as, lean cattle recruit in fresh pastures.

2. To gain new supplies of men for military or other service; to raise or enlist new soldiers; to enlist troops.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)