Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Decanus
Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)
editDECA'NUS. A subordinate officer in the Roman army, who had the command over ten orderlies quartered with him in the same tent (contubernium); whence he is also called caput contubernii. Veg. Mil. ii. 8. and 13.