Henchman

Hence, like constable and marshal, also originally stable staff, henchman became the title of a subordinate official in a royal court or noble household.

The word became obsolete for grooms in English from the middle of the 17th century, but was retained in Scots as "personal attendant of a Highland chief".

The word is, in this sense, synonymous with gillie, the faithful personal follower of a Highland chieftain, the man who stands at his master's haunch, ready for any emergency.

The modern sense of "obedient or unscrupulous follower" is first recorded 1839, probably based on a misunderstanding of the word as used by Scott, and is often used to describe an out-and-out adherent or partisan, ready to do anything.

Notable examples include henchmen such as Oddjob[7][8] from the James Bond franchise, who was also paralleled by "Random Task" in the Austin Powers parody film.