Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Recreant

Recreant (-ant) , adjective

[Old French, cowardly, from recroire, recreire, to forsake, leave, tire, discourage, regard as conquered, Late Latin recredere se to declare one's self conquered in combat; hence, those are called recrediti or recreanti who are considered infamous; Latin pref. re- again, back + credere to believe, to be of opinion; hence, originally, to disavow one's opinion. See Creed.]

1.
Crying for mercy, as a combatant in the trial by battle; yielding; cowardly; mean-spirited; craven.
This recreant knight. — Spenser
2.
Apostate; false; unfaithful.
Who, for so many benefits received, Turned recreant to God, ingrate and false. — Milton

Recreant , noun

One who yields in combat, and begs for mercy; a mean-spirited, cowardly wretch. — Blackstone
You are all recreants and dastards! — Shakespeare