coistrel

[ koi-struhl ]

noun

, Archaic.

1. a scoundrel; knave.

Word History and Origins

Origin of coistrel¹

1570–80; Middle English custrell, apparently < Middle French coustillier, coustelier, one armed with a cou ( s ) telle dagger (feminine derivative of coutel knife < Latin cultellus; -ier ² ), with -r- perhaps from quystroun knave, page, scullion < Anglo-French ( Old French coistron < Vulgar Latin *coquistrō )