The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
   [1913 Webster]