vavasor

noun

vav·​a·​sor ˈva-və-ˌsȯr 

-ˌsu̇r

variants or vavasour

: a feudal tenant ranking directly below a baron

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vavasour "subvassal," borrowed from Anglo-French vavassur, borrowed from Medieval Latin vavassor, probably by haplology from vassus vassōrum literally, "vassal of vassals" — more at vassal

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above