What is "villan"

Villain \Vil"lain\, n. [OE. vilein, F. vilain, LL. villanus, from villa a village, L. villa a farm. See Villa.]

1. (Feudal Law) One who holds lands by a base, or servile, tenure, or in villenage; a feudal tenant of the lowest class, a bondman or servant. [In this sense written also villan, and villein.]

   If any of my ansectors was a tenant, and a servant, and held his lands as a villain to his lord, his posterity also must do so, though accidentally they become noble.
   --Jer. Taylor.

   Note: Villains were of two sorts; villains regardant, that is, annexed to the manor (LL. adscripti gleb[ae]); and villains in gross, that is, annexed to the person of their lord, and transferable from one to another.
   --Blackstone.

2. A baseborn or clownish person; a boor. [R.]

   Pour the blood of the villain in one basin, and the blood of the gentleman in another, what difference shall there be proved?
   --Becon.

3. A vile, wicked person; a man extremely depraved, and capable or guilty of great crimes; a deliberate scoundrel; a knave; a rascal; a scamp.

   Like a villain with a smiling cheek.
   --Shak.

   Calm, thinking villains, whom no faith could fix.
   --Pope.

n. (obsolete form of villain English)