Definition of "bearward"

But now how many men are there proude of that that is not theyrs at al? Is there no man proude of keping another mannes gate? […] [W]hat a brag-kyng maketh a beareward wͭ [with] his ſyluer buttened bawdrike, for pride of another mannes bere?

1534 (date written), Thomas More, “A Treatice vpon the Passion of Chryste (Vnfinished) […]. The Fyrst Poynt, the Fall of Aungelles.”, in Wyllyam Rastell [i.e., William Rastell], editor, The Workes of Sir Thomas More Knyght, […], London: […] Iohn Cawod, Iohn Waly, and Richarde Tottell, published 30 April 1557, page 1272, column 2

The former prohibition against bearwards is omitted iii this Act, probably because it had proved futile for the purpose intended, as a writer in "Notes and Queries," speaking of this period, says:– "I was never a witness of a bear-bait, but I well remember a poor brute who was kept alive for this sole purpose, at F——, in Lancashire. […]"

1887, Charles James Ribton-Turner, A History of Vagrants and Vagrancy, and Beggars and Begging

Congleton had a reputation for bearbaiting and went to some lengths to protect it, sending messengers to Knutsford and Bunbury to ensure that the bearwards got to the Congleton bearbait […]

2007, Lawrence M. Clopper, Elizabeth Baldwin, David Mills, Cheshire including Chester, page lxxv