Also 4–6 besecher. [f. BESEECH v. + -ER1.]
1. One who beseeches; a suppliant, a petitioner.
1382. Wyclif, Zeph. iii. 10. Fro thennis my bisecheris … shuln brynge a ȝift to me.
1508. Fisher, Wks., I. 253. Shewe hymselfe yrefull ayenst his subgecte and besecher.
c. 1600. Shaks., Sonn., cxxxv. Let no vnkinde, no faire beseechers kill.
1751. Smollett, Per. Pic. (1779), I. vi. 43. He terrified the poor beseecher into immediate silence.
2. spec. A petitioner to the king or his courts.
c. 1400. Petit. Ld. Vesey, in Whitaker, Hist. Craven (1812), 251. Yor said besecher standeth gretely chargeably to the execucon of … the last wille of [etc.].
1448. Shillingford, Lett. (1871), 130. Iugges betwene the seid Bisshop … and your seid besechers.
1488–9. Act 4 Hen. VII., xxii. Youre besechers shall ever pray [etc.].
1523. Act 14 & 15 Hen. VII., vi. It shalbe leful to your said besecher.
