The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Refugee \Ref`u*gee"\ (r?f`?*j?"), n. [F. r['e]fugi['e], fr. se
   r['e]fugier to take refuge. See Refuge, n.]
   1. One who flees to a shelter, or place of safety.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Especially, one who, in times of persecution or political
      commotion, flees to a foreign power or country for safety;
      as, the French refugees who left France after the
      revocation of the edict of Nantes.
      [1913 Webster] Refulgence

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

refugee
    n 1: an exile who flees for safety