The Collaborative International Dictionary
Palliard \Pal"liard\, n. [F. paillard, orig., one addicted to the couch, fr. paille straw. See Pallet a small bed.]
A born beggar; a vagabond. [Obs.]
--Halliwell.A lecher; a lewd person. [Obs.]
--Dryden.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
late 15c., "vagabond or beggar" (who sleeps on straw in barns), from Middle French paillard, from Old French paillart "tramp, beggar, vagabond" (13c.), from paille "straw" (see pallet (n.1); also see -ard).
Wiktionary
n. (context archaic English) a beggar or vagrant, especially a professional one
Usage examples of "palliard".
That will be Timothy Penny-farthing, otherwise True Timothy, who is master of the palliards, that make their bodies foul with sores and cry their ailments at every doorstep.
There was True Timothy, the king of the palliards, a vast browsing figure, whose paunch stuck out beyond the others like a flying buttress.
True Timothy and his palliards, who were encamped in the wood, a good two hours to bring life back to Peter, though they wrought hard with strong hands and rough cordials.
The list of palliards who hate and/or lust after this locale must be nigh infinite.