An itinerant beggar, a vagrant; (sometimes) spec. a licensed beggar, a beadsman; cf. beadsman, n. 2b(b). historical or archaic in later use.

A person who collects alms on behalf of lepers or others prohibited from begging for themselves; esp. one having a patent or license to collect alms…

Now usually in form bluecoat. A person whose uniform includes or is distinguished by a blue coat. A person of low social status; esp. a servant…

A person who wears a blue gown, esp. as part of a uniform; (Scottish) a licensed beggar (the blue gown being a symbol of his or her license to…

A man who wears a badge by way of accreditation; spec. (a) a licensed beggar, an almsman; (b) (formerly, at Trinity College, Dublin) a servant who…

Hence in later times. in Scotland: A public almsman or licensed beggar (into which position ‘the King's Bedesmen’ finally sank.)