I. ˈre-krē-ənt adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from present participle of ( se ) recreire to give up, yield, from Medieval Latin ( se ) recredere to resign oneself (to a judgment), from Latin re- + credere to believe — more at creed
Date: 14th century
1. : crying for mercy : cowardly
2. : unfaithful to duty or allegiance
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1. : coward
2. : apostate , deserter