Blackguard

When did this word Come into use, and from what? Beaumont and Fletcher, in the *Elder Brother*, use it thus:— "It is a Faith That we will die in, since from the *blackguard* To the grim sir in office, there are few Hold other tenets." Thomas Hobbes, in his *Microcosmus*, says,— "Since my lady's decay I am degraded from a cook and I fear the devil himself will entertain me but for one of his *blackguard*, and he shall be sure to have his roast burnt."