a soldier employed in the construction of fortifications, trenches, or tunnels that approach or undermine enemy positions.

What does sapper mean in English?

1 : a military specialist in field fortification work (such as sapping) 2 : a military demolitions specialist.

Why do they call them sappers?

The name is derived from the French word sappe (“spadework,” or “trench”) and became connected with military engineering during the 17th century, when attackers dug covered trenches to approach the walls of a besieged fort. ... These trenches and tunnels were called “saps,” and their diggers came to be called “sappers.”