The Collaborative International Dictionary
Fugleman \Fu"gle*man\, n.; pl. Fuglemen. [G. fl["u]gelmann file leader; fl["u]gel wing (akin to E. fly) + mann man. Cf. Flugrelman.]
(Mil.) A soldier especially expert and well drilled, who takes his place in front of a military company, as a guide for the others in their exercises; a file leader. He originally stood in front of the right wing. [Written also flugelman.]
Hence, one who leads the way. [Jocose]
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Wiktionary
n. 1 The member of a military group who leads the way or demonstrates drill 2 (context by extension English) A political leader, or a ringleader 3 Someone who keeps time.
WordNet
n. a leader and organizer and spokesman (especially a political leader); "a fugleman for the radical right"
Wikipedia
Fugleman (from the German Flügelmann, the man on the Flügel or wing; wingman), properly a military term for a soldier who is selected to act as guide, and posted generally on the flanks with the duty of directing the march in the required line, or of giving the time, etc., to the remainder of the unit, which conforms to his movements, in any military exercise. The word is then applied to a ringleader or one who takes the lead in any movement or concerted movement.
These days it is used for a person who is a staunch advocate, a cheerleader, a publicist, or a mouthpiece.
Fugalman is an alternative, archaic and potentially regional spelling variant used in Australia in the early 19th century
Usage examples of "fugleman".
To have Reiverslaw--who was again drinking hard--as his prophet, and Daft Gibbie as his fugleman, did not enhance the credit of his cause.
The only thing was, that Bourhope was so disturbed and so distracted in his mind that he could not attend to orders, and lost his character as a yeoman, and all chance of being future fugleman to his corps.
Ervis Carcolo returned the salute, and with a jerk of his head sent Givven and the fuglemen off out of earshot.
The dragons exercised in tighter formation, the fuglemen and cornets called orders with harsher voices.
To the flanks rode a hundred men: dragon masters, knights, fuglemen and cornets.
The fuglemen fell back into their places, exactly to time again as far as Hornblower could see, but not exactly enough apparently, as the sergeant‑major bellowed his discontent and brought the fuglemen out and sent them back again.
The fuglemen fell back into their places, exactly to time again as far as Hornblower could see, but not exactly enough apparently, as the sergeant-major bellowed his discontent and brought the fuglemen out and sent them back again.
The fuglemen, who gave the time to the rowers, played lively tunes, and the high spirits of the crews prompted them to frequent races.