The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Deferent \Def"er*ent\, a. [L. deferens, p. pr. of deferre. See
   3d Defer.]
   Serving to carry; bearing. [R.] "Bodies deferent." --Bacon.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Deferent \Def"er*ent\, n.
   1. That which carries or conveys.
      [1913 Webster]

            Though air be the most favorable deferent of sounds.
                                                  --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Ptolemaic Astron.) An imaginary circle surrounding the
      earth, in whose periphery either the heavenly body or the
      center of the heavenly body's epicycle was supposed to be
      carried round.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

deferent
    adj 1: showing deference [syn: deferent, deferential,
           regardful]