Meaning

noun a military unit that is a subdivision of a company; usually has a headquarters and two or more squads; usually commanded by a lieutenant

noun a team of policemen working under the military platoon system

noun a group of persons who are engaged in a common activity

originFrom obsolete French plauton, variant of peloton, from Middle French pelote + -on. Doublet of peloton. Compare pellet.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0