coistril

noun

1. An inferior groom or lad employed by an esquire to carry the knight's arms and other necessaries; a coistrel.

   obsolete

2. A mean, paltry fellow; a coward.

   obsolete

   And he shall 'by his merriment as dear / As ever coistril bought so little sport: / Ne'er let this sword assist me when I need, / But rust and canker after I have sworn.

Where it comes from

Probably from Old French coustillier (“groom or lad”). Compare custrel.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry coistril (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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