Assailant (noun)

A person who physically or verbally attacks another person.

Origin:

Late middle english: from old french assaillant, present participle of assaillir, based on latin assilire "to leap at", from ad- "to" + salire "to leap".

Examples:

1. The police are searching for the assailant who attacked the woman.
2. The victim was able to describe the assailant to the police.
3. The assailant was armed with a knife.
4. The assailant fled the scene after the attack.
5. The assailant was caught on surveillance camera.