Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Beghard \Be*ghard"\ Beguard \Be*guard"\, n. [F. b['e]gard,
   b['e]guard; cf. G. beghard, LL. Beghardus, Begihardus,
   Begardus. Prob. from the root of beguine + -ard or -hard. See
   {Beguine}.] (Eccl. Hist.)
   One of an association of religious laymen living in imitation
   of the Beguines. They arose in the thirteenth century, were
   afterward subjected to much persecution, and were suppressed
   by Innocent X. in 1650. Called also Beguins.