yeoman
n. countablen. a person who owns and works their own small farm. In the past, this was a common rank for a farmer in England.
n. a freeholder who owns and cultivates a small farm. Historically, this term referred to a specific social class in medieval and early modern England.
The yeoman worked his own land and paid taxes to the king.
In the 16th century, the yeoman was considered the backbone of the English countryside, providing both food and a steady supply of soldiers.
The transition from a feudal system to a more market-driven economy allowed the yeoman to gain greater independence, though this status was eventually eroded by the enclosures of the 18th century.
From Middle English yoman, yeman, from Old English ġēamann, from Proto-West Germanic gauwjamann (compare Old Frisian gāman (“villager”), Middle High German göuman (“peasant”)), compound of Proto-West Germanic gawi (“shire, district”) (compare Old English -ġē, -ġēa (“district, region”) (in ælġē, Sūþriġēa), West Frisian gea, goa, Dutch gouw, German Gau) + mann (“man”).