Obs. [var. of BISOGNIO, a. It. bisogno ‘need, want; also, a fresh needy souldier. Bisogni, new leuied souldiers such as come needy to the war’ (Florio). ‘Applied in derision to young soldiers who landed in Italy from Spain ill accoutred and in want of everything’ (Vocab. della Crusca.) Hence also Sp. bisoño, Pg. bisonho, F. bisogne. (The conjecture that bisogno was an It. corruption of F. bec·jaune, BEJAN, is baseless.) Cf. BESOGNE.] a. A raw soldier. b. (term of contempt) A needy beggar; a base worthless fellow. See BEZONIAN.
[1591. Garrard, Art of Warre, 170. A raw souldier and Bisognio.]
1603. R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw., 55. A base Besonio, fitter for the spade then the sword.
1611. Fletcher, Four Pl., 28. Draw my sword of Fate on a Pesant, a Besognio!
1622. R. Hawkins, Voy. S. Sea (1847), 78. The souldiers … who after the common custome of their profession (except when they be besonios), sought to pleasure him.
1820. Scott, Monast., xvi. Base and pilfering besognios and marauders.
