An invented Italian word

[flabbergasted]

There is a strange word that can be encountered only in Antonio Moresco's novel Gli Esordi -piumanti. This is how the police are called. Do you have any idea about the origins of this word and why it is used with this meaning?

Example from the book:

Si indovinava già il luccicare dei piumanti ammassati nei crocicchi. «Vado a inserirmi negli scontri!» sentii il cieco gridare, un istante prima di venire sospinto lontano dalla folla. Le luci dei negozi si stavano spegnendo di colpo, calavano con fragore le saracinesche. Le strade si svuotarono in un istante, era già notte.

[Cainntear]

It might be related to the setting. Where/when does the story take place?

[tarvos]

I suspect a relationship to the word plume (i is often l in other Romance languages) . Feathered caps, perhaps?

[aledda]

I suspect a relationship to the word plume (i is often l in other Romance languages) . Feathered caps, perhaps?

That's what I first thought.

piumati = plural of piumato (=feathered)

But I don't know what to do with the N in piumanti

[reineke]

http://www.treccani.it/vocabolario/ante/

Il piumante = noun. A member of an invented armed faction or something like that. The Italian Bersaglieri have feathers on their hats/helmets.

[Tristano]

I suspect a relationship to the word plume (i is often l in other Romance languages) . Feathered caps, perhaps?

That's what I first thought.

piumati = plural of piumato (=feathered)

But I don't know what to do with the N in piumanti

Piumante: feathering

[flabbergasted]

http://www.treccani.it/vocabolario/ante/

Il piumante = noun. A member of an invented armed faction or something like that. The Italian Bersaglieri have feathers on their hats/helmets.

This makes sense to me. Thanks!

[flabbergasted]

It might be related to the setting. Where/when does the story take place?

Unfortunately the author doesn't specify the region where the story is set.