Varlet

VARLETS

Now rogues and rascals, formerly yeoman's servants.

The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.

Var"let (?), n. [OF. varlet, vaslet, vallet, servant, young man, young noble, dim of vassal. See Vassal, and cf. Valet.]

1.

A servant, especially to a knight; an attendant; a valet; a footman.

Spenser. Tusser.

2.

Hence, a low fellow; a scoundrel; a rascal; as, an impudent varlet.

What a brazen-faced varlet art thou ! Shak.

3.

In a pack of playing cards, the court card now called the knave, or jack.

© Webster 1913.