The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Sirvente \Sir`vente"\, n. [F. sirvente, fr. Pr. sirventes, sirventesc, originally, the poem of, or concerning, a sirvent, fr. sirvent, properly, serving, n., one who serves (e. g., as a soldier), fr. servir to serve, L. servire.] A peculiar species of poetry, for the most part devoted to moral and religious topics, and commonly satirical, -- often used by the troubadours of the Middle Ages. [1913 Webster]