Same entry in other lexica: see the references at Photius lambda141 Theodoridis, and add Herodian, Partitions p. 75 Boissonade. Herodian derives the noun from lew/s "people" ("lew\s, o( lao\s, o(/qen kai\ lehlasi/a, h( ai)xmalwsi/a"), lambda 275; hence the interpretation as "driving off (e)lau/nein) of people, capturing people", But in fact the word is derived from the capturing of booty (lei/a, lambda 354, lambda 356).
See also lambda 229.