noun
fleeing warrior; deserter
Historical term for a samurai who has fled from a lost battle or abandoned his lord. Often carries a sense of disgrace and being hunted down.
落ち武者は追っ手から逃れるため、山の中に身を隠した。
The fleeing warrior hid in the mountains to escape his pursuers.
戦国時代
During the Warring States period, hunting down fleeing warriors was rampant.
敗残兵 is a more general term for defeated or remnant soldiers, not limited to samurai and without the specific nuance of fleeing in disgrace.
Compound of 落ち (ochi, continuative form of 落ちる 'to fall, flee') + 武者 (musha, 'warrior').