The Collaborative International Dictionary
Curtal friar
Curtal friar \Cur"tal fri`ar\ (fr?`?r).
A friar who acted as porter at the gate of a monastery.
--Sir
W. Scott.
Wiktionary
curtal friar
n. (context archaic English) A friar with a short gown.
Usage examples of "curtal friar".
Little John did so bestir himself, that the Curtal Friar, admiring at his courage and his nimbleness, did ask him who he was.
He is known as the Curtal Friar of Fountain Abbey, and dwelleth in Fountain Dale.