The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Recruit \Re*cruit"\ (r?*kr?t"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recruited;
   p. pr. & vb. n. Recruiting.] [F. recruter, corrupted (under
   influence of recrue recruiting, recruit, from recro[^i]/tre,
   p. p. recr[^u], 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[=u]tr 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.
      [1913 Webster]

            Her cheeks glow the brighter, recruiting their
            color.                                --Glanvill.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Hence, to restore the wasted vigor of; to renew in
      strength or health; to reinvigorate.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]