The Collaborative International Dictionary
Chouan \Chou"an\, n. [F.] One of the royalist insurgents in western France (Brittany, etc.), during and after the French revolution.
Wikipedia
Chouan ("the silent one", or "owl") is a French surname. It was used as a nom de guerre by the Chouan brothers, most notably Jean Cottereau, better known as Jean Chouan, who led a major revolt in Bas-Maine against the French Revolution. Members of this revolt (and even French royalists in general) came to be known as Chouans, and the revolt itself came to be known as the Chouannerie.
Usage examples of "chouan".
Chouans remain in history as a memorable example of the danger of uprousing the uncivilized masses of the nation.
If these Chouans but learn that we are from Paris and of the King's party, we shall have our throats slit, as I live.
Is there, for instance, anything more strange than that long and bloody protest of the contraband saltmakers, a legitimate chronic revolt, which, at the decisive moment, on the day of safety, at the hour of the people's victory, espouses the throne, turns Chouan, and from insurrection against makes itself an émeute for!