"The patch is kind enough; but a huge feeder."
(Merchant of Venice, ii. 5.)
But the name has another origin (Chapter IX). Buller and Cocker are names taken from the fine old English sports of bull-baiting and cock-fighting.
Two very humble members of the parasitic class have given the names Bidder and Maunder, both meaning beggar. The first comes from Mid. Eng. bidden, to ask. Piers Plowman speaks of "bidderes and beggers." Maunder is perhaps connected with Old Fr. quemander—
"Quemander, or caimander, to beg; or goe a begging; to beg from doore to doore" (Cotgrave),
but it may mean a maker of "maunds," i.e. baskets.
A Beadman spent his time in praying for his benefactor. A medieval underling writing to his superior often signs himself "your servant and bedesman."
[CHAPTER XXI OF NICKNAMES IN GENERAL]
"Here is Wyll Wyly the myl pecker,
And Patrick Pevysshe heerbeter,
With lusty Hary Hangeman,
Nexte house to Robyn Renawaye;
Also Hycke Crokenec the rope maker,
And Steven Mesyllmouthe muskyll taker."