Văs'sal1, n.
n. [Fr. vassal, Pr. vassal, vassau, Sp. vasallo, Pg. & It. vassallo, L. Lat. vassallus, vasallus, from W. gwasawl, serving, from gwasâu, to serve, from gwâs, a youth, page, servant. Cf. VALET.] 1. One who holds land of a superior, and who vows fidelity and homage to him; a feudatory; a tenant.
Sense 2. A subject; a dependent; a servant; a bondman; a slave. “The vassals of his anger.” Milton.
Rear vassal, a vassal who holds of a lord who is himself a vassal.