Jager

Jäger is a German noun meaning hunter. The term derives from the verb jagen, to hunt, and is typically written with an umlaut (Jäger). In English, the word is often rendered as Jager or Jäger. It can also appear in the feminine form Jägerin and in plural form Jäger.

In military usage, Jäger denotes light infantry or specialized troops within German-speaking armed forces. Historically, Jäger units appeared in the 19th and 20th centuries and continue to appear in modern forces as light infantry. Notable formations include Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers) and Gebirgsjäger (mountain troops), which reflect particular environments and combat roles.

The name is also associated with Jägermeister, a German herbal liqueur produced by Mast-Jägermeister SE. Introduced in 1934 by Wilhelm Mast, it is made from a blend of botanicals, fruits, roots, and spices, commonly cited as 56 herbs and spices. The liqueur typically has an alcohol by volume of around 35% and is consumed neat, on ice, or in cocktails, including the popular Jägerbomb when mixed with energy drinks.

Beyond beverages, Jäger appears as a surname in German-speaking regions and in related diaspora communities, where anglicized spellings such as Jager are also encountered. The term carries cultural associations with hunting imagery and German heritage, and it embeds into various branding and entertainment contexts as well.