{i} serf, indentured servant, vassal, servant who is bound to a feudal lord and can be transferred with the estate; (Law) type of slave during the feudal era
[ 'vi-l&n, 'vi-"lAn, vi-'lAn ] (noun.) 14th century. From Anglo-Norman villein, variant of villain; from Medieval Latin villanus "field hand" Latin villa "country home".