Kern (?), n. [Ir. ceatharnach.Cf. Cateran.] 1. A light-armed foot soldier of the ancient militia of Ireland and Scotland; — distinguished from gallowglass, and often used as a term of contempt. Macaulay.
Now for our Irish wars;
We must supplant those rough, rug-headed kerns. Shak.
2. Any kind of boor or low-lived person. Blount.
3. (O. Eng. Law) An idler; a vagabond. Wharton.