Late Middle English (in an earlier sense). From Middle French nocent, adjective and noun or its etymon classical Latin nocent-, nocēns injurious, guilty, guilty person, uses as adjective and noun of present participle of nocēre to hurt, injure. Compare Italian †nocente, adjective.
Definition of nocent in US English:
nocent
adjectiveˈnəʊs(ə)nt
rare
Guilty; criminal.
Origin
Late Middle English (in an earlier sense). From Middle French nocent, adjective and noun or its etymon classical Latin nocent-, nocēns injurious, guilty, guilty person, uses as adjective and noun of present participle of nocēre to hurt, injure. Compare Italian † nocente, adjective.