A rogue or disreputable person; a deceitful fellow or someone of low character (archaic term).
From Old French 'coistre' or 'coystrel,' possibly from Spanish 'coitrel,' meaning a base or servile fellow. The exact origin is disputed but likely connected to low social status.
Shakespeare knew this word—he used 'coistrel' to insult people in his time, and it perfectly captures Renaissance slang for con artists and scoundrels who worked the streets of London and Amsterdam.
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