Yeoman, 1) one not advanced to the rank of a gentleman: “we grace the y. by conversing with him,” H6A II, 4, 81. “spring crestless yeomen from so deep a root?” H6A II, 4, 81 “till thou be restored, thou art a y.” H6A II, 4, 81 “a gentleman or a y.” Lr. III, 6, 11. Lr. III, 6, 11 Lr. III, 6, 11
2) a freeholder, a farmer: not so wealthy as an “English y.” H6C I, 4, 123. “good householders, --'s sons,” H4A IV, 2, 16.
3) appellation given in courtesy to common soldiers: “you, good yeomen, whose limbs were made in England,” H5 III, 1, 25. “fight, gentlemen of England! fight, bold yeomen!” R3 V, 3, 338.
4) a gentleman servant: “the lady of the Strachy married the y. of the wardrobe,” Tw. II, 5, 45. “now it did me --'s service,” Hml. V, 2, 36.
== a kind of under-bailiff: “where's your y.? is't a lusty y.? will a' stand to't?” H4B II, 1, 4 (Mrs. Quickly's speech).
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Shakespeare Lexicon. Alexander Schmidt. Berlin. Georg Reimer. 1902.
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