different between beadsmen vs beadsman

English

beadsmen

From earlier bedeman, from Middle English bedeman (“a petitioner”), equivalent to bead (“request, petition, prayer”) +? -man.

beadsman (plural beadsmen)

(historical) A petitioner; someone who seeks some type of favour from another, usually from a superior.
A man employed in praying; especially one who prays for another.
(historical, England) A poor man, supported in a beadhouse, and required to pray for the soul of its founder; an almsman.
- Whereby ye shall bind me to be […] your poor beadsman for ever unto Almighty God.
(Scotland, historical) A public almsman; one who received alms from the king, and was expected in return to pray for the royal welfare and that of the state; a licensed beggar.

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