Green’s Dictionary of Slang

sapient n.

[SE sapient; ult. Lat. sapiens, wise man]

(UK Und.) a travelling quack.

[UK]R. Copland Hye way to the Spyttel House Cii: For by lettres they name them as they be / P. a Pardoner; Clewner a C. / R. a Roger; A an Aurium, and a Sapient, S.