RECUSANT

noun Etymology: Latin ~-, recusans, present participle of recusare to reject, oppose, from re- + causari to give a reason, from causa cause, reason Date: circa 1553 an English Roman Catholic of the time from about 1570 to 1791 who refused to attend services of the Church of England and thereby committed a statutory offense, one who refuses to accept or obey established authority, ~ adjective