An archaic or dialectal term meaning the state or quality of being a coward.
From 'coward' (Middle English from Old French 'couard') plus '-ness' (Old English suffix for abstract nouns). This form is less common than 'cowardice' or 'cowardliness'.
This word is basically obsolete, replaced by 'cowardice' and 'cowardliness'—it shows how English sometimes creates multiple words for the same thing and then lets all but one fade away.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.