Coerces cavalrymen (8)
I believe the answer is:
dragoons
This might be a double definition.
'coerces' is the first definition.
(dragooning is a kind of coercing)
'cavalrymen' is the second definition.
Both the answer and definition are plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dragoons that I've seen before include "Compels by force; soldier" , "Forces" , "Bullies" , "Heavily armed cavalrymen" .)