Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - recruit

 I. Date: 1643  transitive verb  1.  a.  (1) to fill up the number of (as an army) with new members ; reinforce  (2) to enlist as a member of an armed service  b. to increase or maintain the number of America ~ed her population from Europe  c. to secure the services of ; engage, hire  d. to seek to enroll ~ prospective students  2. replenish  3. to restore or increase the health, vigor, or intensity of  intransitive verb to enlist new members  • ~er noun  II. noun  Etymology: French recrute, recrue fresh growth, new levy of soldiers, from Middle French, from recroistre to grow up again, from Latin recrescere, from re- + crescere to grow — more at crescent  Date: circa 1645  1. a fresh or additional supply  2. a newcomer to a field or activity; specifically a newly enlisted or drafted member of the armed forces  3. a former enlisted man of the lowest rank in the army