Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Mameluke \Mam"e*luke\, n. [F. mamelouk, cf. Sp. mameluco, It.
   mammalucco; all fr. Ar. maml?k a purchased slave or captive;
   lit., possessed or in one's power, p. p. of malaka to
   possesses.]
   One of a body of mounted soldiers recruited from slaves
   converted to Mohammedanism, who, during several centuries,
   had more or less control of the government of Egypt, until
   exterminated or dispersed by Mehemet Ali in 1811.