varlet

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

varlet
    n 1: a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel [syn: {rogue},
         {knave}, {rascal}, {rapscallion}, {scalawag}, {scallywag},
         {varlet}]
    2: in medieval times a youth acting as a knight's attendant as
       the first stage in training for knighthood [syn: {page},
       {varlet}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Varlet \Var"let\, n. [OF. varlet, vaslet, vallet, servant, young
   man, young noble, dim. of vassal. See {Vassal}, and cf.
   {Valet}.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. A servant, especially to a knight; an attendant; a valet;
      a footman. [Obs.] --Spenser. Tusser.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Hence, a low fellow; a scoundrel; a rascal; as, an
      impudent varlet.
      [1913 Webster]

            What a brazen-faced varlet art thou ! --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. In a pack of playing cards, the court card now called the
      {knave}, or {jack}. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]