Recruit (rkrt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recruited; p. pr. & vb. n. Recruiting.]
Etymology: [F. recruter, corrupted (under influence of recrue recruiting, recruit, from recro, p.p. recr, to grow again) from an older recluter, properly, to patch, to mend (a garment); pref. re- + OF. clut piece, piece of cloth; cf. Icel. kl kerchief, E. clout.]
1. To repair by fresh supplies, as anything wasted; to remedy lack or deficiency in; as, food recruits the flesh; fresh air and exercise recruit the spirits. Her cheeks glow the brighter, recruiting their color. Glanvill.
2. Hence, to restore the wasted vigor of; to renew in strength or health; to reinvigorate.
3. To supply with new men, as an army; to fill up or make up by enlistment; as, he recruited two regiments; the army was recruited for a campaign; also, to muster; to enlist; as, he recruited fifty men. M. Arnold.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Recruit, v. i.
1. To gain new supplies of anything wasted; to gain health, flesh, spirits, or the like; to recuperate; as, lean cattle recruit in fresh pastures.
2. To gain new supplies of men for military or other service; to raise or enlist new soldiers; to enlist troops.
Recruit, n.
1. A supply of anything wasted or exhausted; a reënforcement. The state is to have recruits to its strength, and remedies to its distempers. Burke.
2. Specifically, a man enlisted for service in the army; a newly enlisted soldier.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for recruit; he lists it under recover.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.