The word may be a corruption, and an alternative reading of (p)vaillanz may be suggested (see vaillant).
a.
1(?):
(
s.xiii3/4; MS: s.xiii3/4
)
Car sicum dist Plinius, ele nurrist plus forz humes e greindres de cors e plus beaus de façun e plus puaillanz en force e plus hardiz en curage, ke ne fet Asye ou Affrike
21
puaillant (s.xiii3/4)